The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order against the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iliya Damagun, preventing him from taking any steps that could influence the results of the party’s South-South Zonal meeting and Congress.
The order was delivered on Monday by Justice James Omotosho following an ex-parte motion filed by George Turnah, the PDP’s Zonal Secretary for the South-South Zone.
Turnah, represented by Ibrahim Idris, SAN, alleges that the national leadership of the PDP was planning a meeting scheduled for March 11th with the aim of nullifying the outcomes of the South-South Zonal meeting and the zonal elective congresses held in Benin and Calabar. The suit names Damagun, the PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
While Justice Omotosho acknowledged the urgency of the matter, he declined to grant the initial ex-parte motion, emphasizing the need to hear from all parties involved before making a decision on the reliefs sought.
“The matter, facts, and allegations made by the plaintiff are so weighty that granting these interim injunctions without granting hearing to the defendants/respondents will cause serious damage to the working of the party,” Justice Omotosho stated in his ruling.
He stressed the importance of due process and fairness, adding, “It is just and fair to give the defendants/respondents the opportunity to be heard in respect of this injunctive application.”
The court has directed the plaintiff to serve the defendants with the motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions and all relevant documents through substituted means. In the interim, Justice Omotosho cautioned the defendants against any actions that could undermine the ongoing legal process.
“Where a matter is pending before a court, no party is permitted to take action that will render the suit or the outcome of the proceedings nugatory,” he warned.
The case has been adjourned until March 18th for the defendants to respond to the motion for interlocutory injunctions and for a potential hearing on the matter.
The core of the plaintiff’s plea is an order of interlocutory injunction preventing the defendants from taking any actions that could potentially impact the outcome of the contentious South-South Zonal meeting and Congress. The legal battle underscores internal tensions within the PDP and its implications for the party’s structure and leadership in the South-South region.
