The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned hearing in the legal battle by a former national chairman of the People Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, challenging his removal from office before the expiration of his four-year tenure.

The suit slated for hearing in Abuja on Monday by the Apex Court was shifted by 24 hours following the non-appearance in the court of one of the key defendants, Chief Dan Orbih.

When the matter came up, it was discovered that Orbih who is 8th defendant in the appeal was not personally present in court and was not represented by a counsel.

Rather, his earlier counsel, Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), wrote the court informing that Orbih had not briefed him to properly stand as his counsel at the Supreme Court.

However, counsel to Uche Secondus, Oba Maduabuchi (SAN) protested the development claiming that Orbih was not sued by his client but that the defendant imposed himself on the excuse of being Zonal Chairman of PDP.

He sought to move a motion for substituted service to enable him serve the defendant with all court processes through the PDP zonal office.

READ ALSO Travel ban: Nigeria, UK may clash, FG alleges action discriminatory

Justice Mohammed Dattijo who led a five-man panel Justice of the court fixed Tuesday (today) for hearing of all pending applicants in respect of the matter.

Apart from Dan Orbih, other defendants in the appeal are Ibeawuchi Alex, Dennis Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen, Umezurike Onuoha, Godwin Manfred, PDP, Senator Suleiman Nazif, Solomon Ogbonna, Uche Minukwa and Senator Samuel Anyawu.

It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt had on October 26 dismissed an application challenging the suspension of Secondus from the Peoples Democratic Party.

A panel of three justices led by Justice Haruna Tsammani struck out the suit during its sitting in the Rivers State capital.

This prompted Secondus to approach the Supreme Court praying for an order to quash his suspension as well as restore him to office to complete his four-year tenure.