Court Dismisses PDP Suit Against Benue Lawmaker Attah

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to remove Anthony Attah, the member representing Okpokwu Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, from his position after he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Justice Muhammed Umar presided over the case, identified as suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2408/2025.

The court acknowledged Attah's defection but stated it could not assume the constitutional powers of the Speaker and the Benue State House of Assembly to declare his seat vacant. The PDP had requested the court to determine if votes cast for the party could be transferred after a legislator's defection and sought declarations regarding the legality of Attah's continued occupation of his seat.

Justice Umar clarified that the constitutional procedure for declaring a seat vacant had not been fulfilled, emphasizing that the House of Assembly must first declare the seat vacant before any action could be taken. The court ultimately dismissed the PDP's suit, stating it had no merit.