The bid by former Abia State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Obinna Oriaku, to obtain a covert court judgment against Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sir Kenneth Ahia, collapsed on Wednesday after a High Court sitting in Aba refused his ex-parte request.
The matter came before Justice Benson Anya, who dismissed the prayers brought by Oriaku’s counsel, Barr. C. C. Uhuabu, on the grounds that Sir Ken Ahia was never served with any court processes—a procedural breach that rendered the application incompetent.
Sources within the courtroom disclosed that Oriaku sought to secure the order quietly, even though Sir Ken Ahia had earlier filed a defamation suit against him at the Lagos State High Court, which is still pending.
Speaking on the development, Sir Ken Ahia confirmed that he was alerted by colleagues who witnessed the proceedings. According to him, he immediately contacted Oriaku’s lawyer and personally offered to accept service, adding that he was willing to travel to Aba to receive the documents.
“I am eager to join issues with him. He has refused to serve me, yet he wants a judgment,” the Senior Advocate reportedly said.
Legal observers note that the move in Aba appears to be a counter-action prompted by the existing defamation case already instituted by Ahia in Lagos.
With the court’s refusal, Oriaku’s attempt to secure judgment without due process has suffered a major setback, reinforcing the judiciary’s stance that due service is a non-negotiable foundation of fair hearing.
