A Federal High Court in Abuja has extended the December 15 interim order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from taking any action against the 26 Rivers House of Assembly members who defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Donatus Okorowo extended the order following an application by counsel for the embattled lawmakers, Steve Adehi, SAN, and supported by Ken Njemanze, SAN, who appeared for the Rivers House of Assembly.
Although PDP’s lawyer, Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, opposed the application, Justice Okorowo agreed that based on Order 26, Rule 10 of the court, it had the discretionary power to grant the plea in the interest of justice.
The judge granted the order, noting that the reasons given by Adehi and Njemanze is in the interest of justice, thereby adjourning the matter until January 24 for hearing.
Recall that Justice Okorowo had, on December 15, granted the ex-parte motion filed by the 26 lawmakers who dumped PDP for APC, restraining INEC from conducting fresh election to fill the seats of the 26 assembly members.
It also restrained INEC, PDP and the house of assembly from declaring their seats vacant and withdrawing their respective Certificate of Returns pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
