Court Delivers Verdict: Odefa to pay ₦100 million fine for harassing PDP members

A Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has ordered Ali Odefa, the expelled former National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to pay ₦100 million in damages.

The ruling was in response to a suit filed by 20 PDP members, including party executives from Oguduokwor in Onicha Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, under case number FHC/AI/CS/FHR/197. The plaintiffs alleged that their fundamental human rights were violated due to false and malicious accusations made by Odefa.

Justice Hilary I. O. Oshomah ruled that Odefa had “maliciously” involved the police in a civil political dispute by accusing the plaintiffs of forgery without presenting any evidence. Odefa had claimed that the plaintiffs forged documents to engineer his suspension from the PDP in Oguduokwor Ward.

However, the court found no evidence to support Odefa’s allegations and determined that his actions amounted to an abuse of the legal process.

In addition to awarding ₦5 million in damages to each of the 20 plaintiffs, totaling ₦100 million, the court issued an order restraining Odefa and the police from harassing, arresting, or intimidating the plaintiffs over matters related to his suspension from the party.

The court directed that the damages be paid within seven days, with a daily interest rate of 10% applied for any delay in payment.

Odefa’s expulsion from the PDP was previously confirmed on December 12, 2024, by the Oguduokwor Ward executives, following recommendations from the party’s disciplinary committee. The committee found Odefa guilty of engaging in anti-party activities.