Lawyers allege forum shopping, breach of fair hearing, and non-disclosure by AGF
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A legal storm is brewing over the sudden transfer of a high-profile suit involving the Incorporated Trustees of Rivsbridge Peace Initiative from the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt to the Abuja Judicial Division, allegedly at the request of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), without notice to the claimant.
In a letter dated May 29, 2025, addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and signed by Clifford Nnanta Chuku of Clifford & Clifford Esquires, counsel to the claimant expressed strong objections to the transfer of Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/43/2025. The case had been filed on March 27, 2025, and was assigned to Justice A.T. Mohammed at Court 5 of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Division.
The suit, instituted against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and five others, had already seen preliminary proceedings, including substituted service on some of the defendants and filings by the 5th and 6th defendants. A substantive hearing was scheduled for May 26, 2025, when the claimant was suddenly informed by the court clerk that the matter had been transferred to Abuja.
According to the claimant’s counsel, no reason was communicated for the transfer, and the AGF’s request—which triggered the quick transfer of the case from the Federal High Court Port Harcourt Judicial Division to the Abuja Judicial Division—was neither made available nor copied to the claimant at any time.
The law firm contends that this omission violates the provisions of Rule 31(2) and (5) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, which require transparency and communication with all parties.
“It is a flagrant disregard to due process,” Chuku wrote, “and an outright encouragement of forum shopping.”
The letter argues that not only does the action impose heavy financial burdens on the claimant, but it also raises serious concerns about fair hearing, judicial impartiality, and confidence in the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court.
“The continued insistence that Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/43/2025 be heard at the Abuja Judicial Division is a tacit indictment on the capability of all judges of the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, particularly Hon. Justice A.T. Mohammed,” the letter stated.
The firm has therefore called on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case to its original court in Port Harcourt, emphasizing that the subject matter of the case concerns issues rooted in Rivers State.
Also copied in the letter were Justice A.T. Mohammed, the AGF, the Accountant General of the Federation, and the respective legal teams for the 5th and 6th defendants, including several Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit, as no hearing notice has been issued to date.
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