The Plateau State High Court has adjourned until October 29, 2026, the application filed by the Jos North Local Government Council seeking to set aside the judgment on the Jos North indigeneship matter delivered on June 9, 2026.
The earlier judgment was entered by the court after the Jos North Local Government Council failed to appear during the proceedings, resulting in a default judgment in favour of the respondents.
During Friday’s proceedings, counsel to Jos North Local Government and the three indigenous ethnic groups—Berom, Afizere, and Anaguta—Garba Pwul (SAN), challenged the appearance of a new legal team representing one of the respondents, Fatima Akawu, arguing that the lawyers were not originally on record in the matter.
Responding, Edward Pwajok (SAN) explained that all parties were duly represented in court and noted that the issues before the court revolved around compliance with procedural rules governing legal representation.
The applicants contended that any change of legal representation must be preceded by a formal application before the court. They argued that the introduction of a new legal team without prior notice amounted to a legal ambush and was inconsistent with established court procedures.
Counsel to the respondents, Yakubu H. (SAN), representing Baba Alhaji Akawu, maintained that Fatima Akawu and her father are separate parties in the suit and are constitutionally entitled to engage different legal representatives. He stated that the respondents’ decision to retain separate legal teams was within their legal rights.
After hearing submissions from both sides, the court adjourned the matter to October 29, 2026, to deliver a ruling on the issue of legal representation. The substantive application to set aside the June 9 judgment is expected to proceed after the court resolves the preliminary issue.