ABUJA — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered all parties involved in the suit seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its planned national convention to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case.
Justice James Omotosho, who issued the directive yesterday, warned that none of the parties should take any step that could jeopardise or render the subject matter of the case nugatory.
The order followed a complaint by Chris Uche, SAN, one of the PDP’s counsel, who noted that his client was being hindered by the ongoing litigation and sought an accelerated hearing.
Justice Omotosho assured all parties that the court would deliver its judgment before the end of October, stressing that he would not tolerate any delay tactics.
“Once a suit is filed and parties have been served with court processes, no party should take any step on such matter,” the judge said.
“The court must not be overreached, and where such is done, it has the power to issue a consequential order nullifying such act. Let us respect the law—it is in our collective interest.”
The judge further assured that the ruling would be promptly delivered, saying,
“I type my own judgments myself, so there will be no issue of any delay.”
The court fixed Monday for the definite hearing of the suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
The plaintiffs are urging the court to halt the PDP National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers are expected to be elected.
The court confirmed that all parties had been duly served with the necessary processes before setting the hearing date.
