A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has delivered a devastating blow to expelled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Ali Odefa, ordering him to pay a whopping ₦100 million in damages for harassing party members.
The court’s verdict, handed down by Justice Hilary I. O. Oshomah, brings to a close a protracted legal battle initiated by 20 PDP members, including party executives from Oguduokwor, Onicha Local Government Area, Ebonyi State. The plaintiffs had sought redress for alleged violations of their fundamental human rights stemming from Odefa’s false and malicious accusations.
According to court documents, Odefa had maliciously involved the police in a civil political matter, accusing the plaintiffs of forgery without providing a shred of evidence to substantiate his claims. The court found Odefa’s actions to be a blatant abuse of the legal process.
In his ruling, Justice Oshomah awarded ₦5 million in damages to each of the 20 plaintiffs, totaling ₦100 million. The court ordered Odefa to pay the damages within seven days, with a daily interest rate of 10% applicable for any delay in payment.
This latest development is the culmination of a tumultuous period for Odefa, whose expulsion from the PDP was confirmed on December 12, 2024, by the Oguduokwor Ward executives. The party’s disciplinary committee had found him guilty of engaging in anti-party activities.
As Odefa grapples with the financial implications of the court’s ruling, his reputation within the PDP and the wider political landscape continues to suffer.