Court Extends Restraining Order on INEC, PDP Over Defected Rivers Lawmakers
Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has prolonged the temporary injunction that prevents the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from taking any measures against the 26 members of the Rivers House of Assembly who switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The extension of the order was made in response to a request by Steve Adehi, the legal representative for the Rivers House of Assembly members, during a court appearance.
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Justice Okorowo, citing Order 26, Rule 10 of the Federal High Court, asserted that the court possessed discretionary authority to grant the plea in the pursuit of justice.
The judge concurred with the arguments put forth by the lawmakers’ counsel, affirming that issuing the order would serve the interests of justice more effectively. Consequently, Justice Okorowo scheduled the next hearing for January 24.
Previously, on December 15, the judge had granted an ex-parte motion filed by the 26 lawmakers who had switched from the PDP to the APC. The court’s initial ruling barred INEC from conducting new elections to fill the vacancies left by the assembly members.
Additionally, it restrained INEC, PDP, and the House of Assembly from declaring the seats vacant and revoking the members’ certificates of returns until the motion on notice is heard and determined.