In a significant legal development, a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an interim injunction preventing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting its congress in the state. This ruling was reported by The Punch.
The court order arose from suit PHC/2282/CS/2024, filed by Hon. David Chiinedu Omereji, Hon. Prince Solomon Eke, Isodoye Tobin, Goddy Manfred Pepple, Okiah Precious Chigozirim, Hon. Orolosama Peter Amachree, Goodfriday Nweke, Alfred Letam, Hon. Wechie Ndubisi Raymond, Mrs. Erebie Michael, and Hon. Ogenma Idalunimulu against the PDP, the party’s National Chairman, National Financial Secretary, and National Organising Secretary.
The trial judge, Justice Sobere Biambo, issued the ruling following an originating summons and an ex-parte application filed by the aggrieved party members.
Justice Biambo stated, “Pursuant to this action filed on July 15, 2024, by way of an originating summons and a motion ex-parte praying this Honourable Court for an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants and each of them by themselves, servants, agents, assigns, or otherwise from holding or carrying out the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Congress in Rivers State fixed today to determine the application before His Lordship, Hon. Justice Sobere Biambo sitting at High Court 13, Port Harcourt.”
The court’s decision came after hearing the submissions of the claimants’ counsel, Eberechi Adiele, SAN, who appeared with S.O. Orlu, Esq.
Justice Biambo ruled: “An order of interim injunction is hereby issued restraining the defendants and each of them, either by themselves, servants, agents, assigns, or otherwise from holding or carrying out the Peoples Democratic Party Congress in Rivers State or rescheduling it to be held on any other date or location.”
Furthermore, the judge added, “An order interim is hereby issued stopping or suspending the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Congress in Rivers State scheduled to hold on July 27, 2024, or on any other date or location pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed.”
Additionally, the court ordered, “An order interim is hereby issued restraining the defendants by themselves, servants, agents, or otherwise, however, from taking any decision or giving any directive to further extend the already expired tenure of the last State, Local Government, and Ward Executive Officers of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State.”
The court has adjourned the case until July 19, 2024, for the hearing of the motion on notice already filed.
