Suspension/expulsion: Court to hear Wike’s suit against PDP, February 14

The hearing in a lawsuit filed by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike against the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party has been postponed until February 14 in a Federal High Court in Abuja (PDP).

Shortly after granting an ex parte application instructing parties in the suit not to take any actions that may likely affect the outcome of the suit currently before the court, Justice J. K. Omotosho set the date for the hearing.

Wike contested the alleged PDP plans to either suspend or expel him from the party in the motion on notice dated February 2, 2023.

The Rivers State Governor filed an ex parte application asking the court for an order “maintaining status quo and staying all actions in the matter relating to the threat to suspend or expel the applicant by the first to fifth respondents pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice” prior to the hearing of the lawsuit with the case number FHC/ABJ/CS/139/2023.

Read Also: Navy detains two human traffickers, rescues 18 victims

The PDP, National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC), National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were listed as the first through sixth respondents in a certified true copy (CTC) of the court’s order that was sighted.
When deciding on the ex parte application on February 2, Justice Omotosho stated: “It is hereby ordered that all parties maintain peace and shall not take any action or step or act that may make the outcome of the motion on notice dated February 2 nugatory and worthless. After reading the affidavit in support of the motion exparte deposed to by Precious Ikpe.”

Additionally, Justice Omotosho ruled that any such action would be void.

The judge also approved the request for permission to serve court documents on the first through fifth respondents, with the condition that they also receive notice of the hearing.