Court Orders N100 Million Fine Against Expelled PDP Vice Chairman Odefa

A Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has ordered Ali Odefa, the expelled former national vice-chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southeast Zone, to pay N100 million in damages. The court also restrained Odefa and the police from intimidating or arresting party ward executives.

Odefa was expelled from the PDP on December 12, 2024, by the Oguduokwor Ward executives following a disciplinary committee’s recommendation. The committee had found him guilty of anti-party activities. In response, 20 PDP members and ward executives from Onicha Local Government Area filed a lawsuit (Suit No: FHC/AI/CS/FHR/197) against Odefa, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, and the Inspector General of Police.

The plaintiffs, including Herbert Onyedikachi, Anoke Egbe, and Njoku Nwagu, sought the enforcement of their fundamental rights, alleging that Odefa had falsely accused them to the police.

Presiding over the case, Justice Hilary Oshomah ruled that Odefa had “maliciously” used the police against the plaintiffs. The court ordered him to pay N5 million to each of the 20 plaintiffs, totaling N100 million in damages, along with an additional N2 million in costs.

Furthermore, the court prohibited Odefa and the police from harassing or arresting the defendants regarding his suspension from the PDP. The judge mandated that the damages be paid within seven days, warning that failure to comply would result in a 10% daily interest on the amount.