The Federal High Court in Abuja has prolonged the interim order preventing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from ousting Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s national secretary until the substantive case is heard and determined.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, on Monday, instructed the parties involved to uphold the existing state of affairs in the lawsuit. He further postponed the proceedings to December 19 for a hearing.
The development unfolded when Moses Onyilokwu, the plaintiff’s counsel, informed the court that while the case was scheduled for a hearing, Mohammed Atolagbe, the lawyer for the 1st to 4th defendants, had recently served them with a counter affidavit in response to their motion for an interlocutory injunction.
Onyilokwu mentioned the need for a brief period to address the application.
Atolagbe acknowledged serving Onyilokwu with their counter affidavit earlier that day and maintained that their substantive response was timely filed.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the delayed filing, Justice Ekwo remarked that if Atolagbe had applied on time, the substantive matter could have been addressed.
“Now, the matter is not likely to go on today, something I would have penalized you for. Now, once the party has submitted themselves to court, no action should be taken so that it will not affect the case at hand. Therefore, parties are to maintain the status quo,” he said.