PDP’s counsel withdraws services

Counsel to PDP in the political matter involving APC and INEC in Rivers, Mr Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), has withdrawn his legal services to the party.

Quoting personal and compassionate reasons, Orbih announced his withdrawal on Wednesday in Port Harcourt during the Court of Appeal sitting.

He said his withdrawal from the political matter was personal and on “compassionate ground”.

The SAN had on Feb. 5, argued that the court should not entertain APC’s appeal against the judgment of Justice Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court Judgment of Jan. 7 barring APC from presenting candidates for the general elections

Orbih had argued that APC brought the lower court record of proceeding directly instead of the court registrar.

He however said that his withdrawal did not affect the applications he had filed before the court.

“My name is on the applications; withdrawal of appearance and not withdrawal of any application.

“If there is the need to contribute, I will. I am not a frivolous person,” he said.

Mr Prince Azunda and Mustapha Ibrahim, counsel to APC, argued that there should be “consequence for the withdrawal”.

They contended that Orbih’s withdrawal amounted to a defeat of his applications.