Court directs Police IG to stop PDP convention, asks INEC to stay away

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued an interlocutory injunction restraining the Peoples Democratic Party from electing officials into its national offices until a substantive application before it is determined.

The court also directed the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to ensure the convention does not hold.

Justice Okon Abang, while giving the ruling, warned that parties in the ongoing tussle for the leadership of the PDP who go against the decision of the court should be ready for punishment.

Mr. Abang was reacting to the submission of counsel to former Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, who informed the court that a member of the Ahmed Makarfi’s faction, Dayo Adeyeye, issued a statement accusing the court of giving inaccurate judgements.

Mr. Abang advised the Independent National Electoral Commission to adhere to an order directing it to stay away from the convention.

“Failure to comply with the order of the court will attract disciplinary action,” the judge said. “The mighty will not escape just punishment. Whoever goes against the decision of this court will have themselves to blame.”

Mr. Abang also ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris, to ensure compliance with the orders of the court.

He condemned the action of a judge of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, who issued a counter order nullifying proceedings of his court.

The counsel, Ferdinand Obi, however argued that his client was not served the originating summons for the said application.

But Justice Abang held that his argument lacked merit since the seven defendants in the faction, who are members of the Makarfi faction, on Monday asked the court for adjournment without complaining that it was not served.

The court had ruled stopping the convention on Monday.

But the PDP said it would go ahead because another court in Port Harcourt cleared it to proceed with the August 17 event.

PREMIUM