By Charles Maduka
The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has directed that a hearing notice be served on the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the party failed to appear in a suit filed by former aspirant Sunny Moniedafe.
Moniedafe, who once vied for the post of APC Deputy National Chairman (North), is demanding a refund of ₦10 million, the amount he paid for a nomination form ahead of the party’s national convention in March 2022.
According to the suit, Moniedafe explained that the party leadership, under then-President Muhammadu Buhari, had directed aspirants to step down as part of a consensus arrangement favouring a candidate from Borno State. He claims Buhari promised refunds to those who complied, but says the party has since refused to honour that promise.
Despite repeated demands, Moniedafe said the APC has failed to return the money, prompting him to take legal action. At Monday’s court session, both the complainant and his lawyer, Okoi Obono-Obla, were present, but no representative from the APC appeared in court.
Justice Yusuf Halilu, who presided over the case, noted that the party had not been properly served and ordered the court registrar to ensure service was effected ahead of the next sitting. While acknowledging an extension of time application filed by the APC, the judge granted it and adjourned the case to July 15, 2025, for further hearing.
The outcome of this case may set a precedent for how political parties handle nomination refunds tied to internal party decisions and presidential directives.
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