A Federal High Court in Abuja has extended the interim order restraining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from removing Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary of the party pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.
Justice Inyang Ekwo on Monday directed parties to maintain the status quo in the suit. He further adjourned the matter until December 19 for a hearing.
The development occurred when counsel for the plaintiff, Moses Onyilokwu, informed the court that though the matter was slated for hearing, the lawyer for the 1st to 4th defendants, Mohammed Atolagbe, had just served them a counter affidavit in response to the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed by them.
Onyilokwu said he would need a short time to respond to the application.
Atolagbe, who admitted serving Onyilokwu with their counter affidavit earlier today, insisted that he was also within time to file their substantive response.
Justice Ekwo, who frowned at the late filing process, said if Atolagbe had filed his application in time, the substantive matter would have been taken.
“Now, the matter is not likely to go on today, something I would have penalised you for. Now, once the party has submitted themselves to court, no action should be taken so that it will not affect the case at hand. Therefore, parties are to maintain the status quo,” he said.
