A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, presided over by Justice Salisu Garba, in a ruling on Thursday dismissed Usman’s preliminary objection to the suit as lacking in merit. Justice Garba held that contrary to Usman’s contention the suit filed by Twinkle Nigeria Limited was competent as it raised “triable issues”. Apart from Usman and the PDP, other defendants to the suit are Senator Ahmadu Ali (the Director General of the campaign organisation), and former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana ( Director, Contact and Mobilisation). The firm had instituted the suit claiming that it was engaged by the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation to “beautify and decorate” the campaign venues used by former President Goodluck Jonathan as PDP presidential candidate during his campaign for the 2015 election. The firm accused the defendants of refusing to pay the contract sum of N360m mutually agreed on as fee for the project. Upon being served with the processes of the suit, Usman had filed a notice of preliminary objection, contending that she could not be sued for a debt allegedly owed by an organisation that was not duly registered as a legal entity. She also contended that the suit “does not disclose a reasonable cause of action”. Other defendants did not file any objection to the suit but indicated their intention to contest the alleged debt during trial. But Justice Garba ruled on Thursday that the suit was competent and further directed the respondents to file their defence to the suit.]]>