A High Court in Ibadan has once again extended its order preventing any disruption to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s upcoming National Convention, which is set to take place on November 15 and 16.
Justice Ladiran Akintola ruled on Wednesday that the temporary injunction, originally granted through an ex parte motion, will remain active until the court hears the full case on Friday. After reviewing arguments from both legal teams, the judge confirmed that the restraining order “shall continue to subsist” until a final decision is made.
During the session, the court also reviewed a request from an interested party seeking to join the case. However, the judge dismissed the application because the attached affidavit lacked a signature from the person who submitted it. While the defense lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), argued that the identity of the deponent was clear and the document should still be valid, Justice Akintola disagreed, stating that the application could only be considered if properly refiled.
Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN), representing the claimant, told reporters that the unsigned affidavit halted the joinder process but confirmed that the opposing party plans to submit a corrected version. He also emphasized that the court’s earlier order remains “valid and enforceable” until the main case is resolved.
This legal battle stems from a suit seeking to prevent key PDP figures—including Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa (who chairs the Convention Organising Committee), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—from interfering with or derailing the convention’s preparations.
The court had previously instructed the PDP to stick to its published schedule and guidelines for the event, reinforcing the need for procedural order amid internal party tensions. The next hearing is set for Friday, where the court is expected to take further steps toward resolving the matter.
Leave a comment