The transfer of suit of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) against Nigeria Air to Abuja has been decided on by the Chief judge of the Federal High Court.
The Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho has cancelled the decision to transfer the suit saying, there were errors in the judgement by Justice Omotosho to the effect that counsel to Nigeria Air concealed some facts which has rendered the judgement null and void.
To this end, Justice Tsoho says, the suit would be heard in Lagos and not Abuja High Court.
The Chief Justice decision communicated in a letter and addressed to Dr. Alex A. Izinyon ( SAN) ,Ph.D., OFR read:
RE: JUDGEMENT IN SUIT NO FHC/ABJ/CS/271/2023 BETWEEN THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF AIRLINE OPERATORS OF NIGERIA & 5 ORS V. J.T TSOHO (CHIEF JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT & 4 ORS.
“Please refer to your letter dated 4th May, 2023 on the above subject matter. It has reported delivery of Judgement in the aforementioned suit by Hon. Justice J.K. Omotosho on 27th, 2023, dismissing the said suit for lack of cause of action and abuse of court process. The plaintiffs in the said suit challenged the 1st defendant, J.T, Tsoho-Chief Judge of the Federal High Court) who acted in his judicial capacity by transferring suit No. FHC/L/CS/2159/2022 from Lagos to Abuja Judicial Division
“While noting the dismissal of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/271/2023, may I humbly draw your attention to my earlier letter addressed to you, dated 9 March, 2023, particularly to paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 thereof regarding Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1999/2022. This is to the effect that non-disclosure by your clients that there was a pending motion for the transfer of the case, while making an administrative application to the same effect, rendered the application fundamentally flawed”.
‘As a result, I resolved to reverse the transfer of the case, but for the pendency of Suit No. FHCIABJ/CS/271/2023.
“Therefore, following the dismissal of Suit No.FHC,ABJ/CS/271/2023 by Hon. Justice Omotosho, the transfer of Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2159/2022 is hereby cancelled. Accordingly, the case file in respect of the said suit is hereby remitted to the Federal High Court, Lagos for hearing and determination of the pending application for transfer by Hon. Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.”
