Woubetu v. Metro Pcs ( 2023 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
SAMSON WOUBETU, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Civil Action No. 23-0947 (UNA)
)
METRO PCS/T-MOBILE, )
)
Defendant. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on consideration of plaintiff’s application to proceed in
forma pauperis and pro se complaint. The Court grants the application and, for the reasons
discussed below, the dismisses the complaint.
A pro se litigant’s pleading is held to less stringent standards than would be applied to a
formal pleading drafted by lawyer. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). Even pro
se litigants, however, must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Jarrell v. Tisch,
656 F. Supp. 237, 239 (D.D.C. 1987). Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires
that a complaint contain a short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the Court’s
jurisdiction depends, a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled
to relief, and a demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks. Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). The
purpose of the minimum standard of Rule 8 is to give fair notice to the defendants of the claim
being asserted, sufficient to prepare a responsive answer, to prepare an adequate defense, and to
determine whether the doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498
(D.D.C. 1977).
1
According to plaintiff, defendant is responsible for deletion of email messages and
accepts his monthly payments while refusing to assist him “with technical problem and also 611
telephone customer services.” Compl. at 1. As drafted, the complaint fails to comply with the
minimum pleading standard set forth in Rule 8(a) and, therefore, must be dismissed. The
complaint alleges very few facts, and notably, is silent as to a basis for this Court’s jurisdiction
and any form of relief. A separate order will issue.
/s/
TANYA S. CHUTKAN
DATE: April 12, 2023 United States District Judge
2