Ortom, Anyanwu shun PDP disciplinary hearing

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and the ousted National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Sam Anyanwu, failed to appear before the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) on Wednesday.

The Chief Tom Ikimi-led committee had summoned both party chieftains to respond to petitions against them, but neither honored the invitation.

Speaking to journalists at the Legacy House in Maitama, Abuja, the venue of the hearing, Chief Ikimi confirmed that the petitions had been served to the two embattled politicians via courier, with evidence of receipt.

However, while Anyanwu responded through his doctor, citing ill health and requesting a new date, Ortom denied receiving any summons. Following their absence, Chief Ikimi announced that the committee had rescheduled the hearing for March 4, 2025.

Ikimi explained that the petitions had been served directly and via courier, with proof of delivery. He noted that Senator Anyanwu had submitted a letter from his doctor requesting a new date due to a medical appointment, while Ortom and others claimed they did not receive the invitations. Despite these claims, the committee remained confident that the documents had been properly delivered and decided to defer the sitting.

Meanwhile, lawyers representing Ortom have protested the public announcement of the petition against him. In a letter to the NDC, Ortom’s legal team, led by C.T. Mue, described the committee’s February 5, 2025, press release as a violation of due process and an infringement on their client’s rights. They argued that publicly disclosing allegations against Ortom without first notifying him in writing breached multiple provisions of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended) and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.

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The legal team cited the PDP Constitution, which mandates that any member facing disciplinary proceedings must first receive a formal written notice detailing the allegations, date, time, and venue of the hearing. According to them, Ortom did not receive such prior notification, making the public disclosure procedurally flawed and unfair. They also referenced provisions stating that only the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has the authority to discipline NEC members, deputy governors, or National Assembly members, arguing that the NDC lacks jurisdiction over disciplinary matters involving Ortom.

Furthermore, the lawyers claimed that publicly disseminating allegations against Ortom violated the Cybercrimes Act 2015, which prohibits the intentional transmission of false or misleading information that could harm a person’s reputation. They contended that the NDC’s premature disclosure subjected their client to unnecessary public ridicule and reputational damage.

In response, Ortom’s legal team has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the February 5 press release, a written apology within 48 hours, and a cease-and-desist order preventing further public statements on the matter until Ortom has been officially notified and given an opportunity to respond. They warned that failure to meet these demands within 48 hours would compel their client to pursue legal action, including a defamation lawsuit and a formal petition to law enforcement agencies over alleged violations of the Cybercrimes Act.