JIME, ORTOM CASE: JUDGE GRANTS PARTIES MORE TIME TO SETTLE OUT OF COURT

The Federal High Court, sitting today in Abuja on the case between former APC Benue governorship aspirant, Prof Steve Ugbah and three others vs State APC Chairman, Abba Yaro and three others, popularly known as Benue as Jime vs Ortom, resolved to give more time to the various parties for out-of-court discussions and settlement.

It will recalled that in the last adjournment, the Jime camp had sought time to settle out of court.

Appearing for Jime was S A Orkuma and many others while ST Hon for the defendants as usual. Orkuma told Justice Ivoh Chukwu that "there was no settlement" and that Ortom's camp didn't approach them for settlement.

Hon on his part told the court that since the settlement arrangement came from Jime's camp, they waited for them to make the first move.
During the ensuing argument, the court heard for the first time that it was actually the President-elect , General Muhammadu Buhari who contacted Jime.

The court also understood that catholic bishops and other stakeholders were also making frantic efforts to reconcile the parties.

On hearing all these, Justice Chukwu said he would still give the parties more time to settle out of court. He said as a man from Ebonyi State, he knew that whatever affected Benue would have a spill over effect into his state; moreso, since the Church in Benue and the parties didn't meet in the last adjourned date, it would be more appropriate if the parties meet before proceeding with the case, if there was any need afterwards.

He warned that, as a lover of peace, he wanted the matter settled out of court, but  if it failed, he would proceed with the case which, in the end, will go one way or the other.

The case was adjourned for 26th May, 2015.