SAN FRANCISCO, September 13, (THEWILL) – The application by the Bamanga Tukur faction of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for an interim order for the maintenance of status quo in the leadership of the party was, Friday, thrown out .
Counsel to the faction, Tochukwu Onwugbufor, SAN, had applied for the order after accusing the Kawu Baraje faction of willfully delaying the suit.
However, counsel to the Baraje faction, Ahmed Raji, SAN, opposed the application, saying the court had already granted an order for maintenance of status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The Baraje faction had also asked the court to first hear and determine their preliminary objection before considering the originating summons brought by the Tukur group.
But the Tukur faction maintained that the court should hear and determine both the preliminary objections and the originating summons at the same time.
In his ruling , presiding judge, Justice Chukwu, declined the Tukur faction’s application for an interim order, saying :
“I have studied the multifaceted issues in the suit, there is no tardiness on the part of the defence.
“All the respondents who were served on Friday filed and entered appearances.
“There was no display of tardiness; wielding the big stick to bar defence is not appropriate at this time.”
The judge also ordered that the preliminary objection and the originating summons be heard at the same time as he adjourned the matter to September 20 for hearing.
About the Author
