Ibadan Court Extends Legal Protection for PDP Party Convention
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has again extended its interim order restraining any interference with the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) planned National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.
Naija News reports that Justice Ladiran Akintola, in his ruling on Wednesday, held that the interim injunction earlier granted on an ex parte motion would remain in force pending further hearing of the substantive suit on Friday.
After listening to arguments from counsel on both sides, Justice Akintola ruled that the restraining order “shall continue to subsist” until the court concludes the hearing on the matter.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case to Friday for continuation.
The court also considered an application for joinder filed by an interested party. However, Justice Akintola rejected the application, ruling that it could not be entertained because the affidavit attached to it was not signed by the deponent.
But counsel to the defendant, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), countered that the omission did not invalidate the document, arguing that the “identity of the deponent is well established.”
He insisted that the absence of a signature did not amount to complete invalidity.
Justice Akintola maintained his position, saying that while the application could not stand “in its present form,” it could be refiled properly.
Counsel to the claimant, Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN), told journalists after the proceedings, “We were about to take the application for joinder when the Court discovered that the affidavit was not signed.
The other party has now indicated interest in filing a proper one.”
He reaffirmed that the earlier interim injunction “remains valid and enforceable” until the substantive case is heard.
It would be recalled that the same court had earlier ruled on an ex parte motion authorising the PDP to proceed with its National Convention as planned.
The claimant in the suit sought an order restraining the defendants, namely the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (on behalf of the Convention Organising Committee); and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from truncating or derailing preparations for the convention.
The court had also directed that the PDP leadership strictly comply with the guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities already issued for the convention.