The Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to make an attempt at suspending or expelling Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State from the party.
In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/139/2023, dated and filed on February 2, the respondents are the PDP, its National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee of PDP, the National Chairman of PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, National Secretary PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The order was made upon an ex-parte motion filed by Wike against the entire hierarchy of the PDP.
Justice Omotosho of the federal high court ordered that “all parties in this suit shall maintain peace and shall not take any action or step or act that may make the outcome of the Motion on Notice dated and filed February 2, 2023, nugatory and worthless.
“That any act or step or action made so as to make the outcome of the Motion on Notice dated and filed February 2, 2023, nugatory shall be a nullity.
The applicant had prayed for an order maintaining the status quo and staying all actions in the matter relating to the threat to suspend or expel him by the 1st to 5th Respondents pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.
Wike also asked for an order of the court granting him leave to serve the motion on notice, originating motion and all other processes of the court in the suit on the 1st to 5th Respondents by substituted means to wit, by pasting all the said processes of court on PDP National Secretariat.
He also sought an order deeming such service as made above as proper service which was granted.
“That leave is hereby granted to the applicant to serve the originating motion, Motion on notice and all other processes of this court in this suit on the 1st to 5th Respondents by substituted means to wit, by pasting all the said processes of court on PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone S, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” the Justice ruled.
Justice Omotosho further directed that a hearing notice be issued and served on all the Respondents.
Upon reading the affidavit in support of the motion exparte deposed to by one Precious Ikpe and filed at the court registry and after hearing Dr J Y Musa, for the applicant, the court granted the reliefs sought.
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned till February 14, 2023, for hearing of the Motion on Notice dated and filed February 2, 2023.
