From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
A Federal High Court sitting in Kano State, on Thursday set aside the ruling of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court suspending Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
The presiding Judge, Justice Lewis Alagoa ordered that the status quo ante bellum be maintained, pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice by the applicant, Aliyu Muhammad Rabiu.
The AUTHORITY reports that Rabiu had on the 4th March, 2020 filed a motion exparte against All Progressive Congress (first respondent), Adams Oshiomhole, Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Inspector General of Police and Director General of State Security Service as 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents.
The applicant is seeking that the Court direct all the parties to the suit to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and disposal of the motion on notice filed, that is an order directing the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants either by themselves, servants, privies, assigns or any officer among others from given effect to the purported resolution of the ward 10 Estako West Local government area of 2nd November, 2019 suspending the 2nd defendant as a member of the 1st defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
However, Justice Alagoa while giving the order said, “that all the parties to this suit are directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and disposal of the motion on notice filed herein that is, an order directing the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants either by themselves, servants, privies, assigns or any officer howsoever described and whatever name called from giving effect to the purported resolution of the ward, Etsako West Local Government area of 2nd November, 2019 suspending the 2nd defendant (Oshiomhole) as a member of the 1st defendant (APC) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“Also that the 3rd defendant (INEC) is restrained from dealing, communicating or howsoever recognizing any person order than the 2nd defendant (Oshiomhole) as the National Chairman of the 1st defendant (APC) for any party business or carrying out any duties vested on the commission by the Electoral Act.
“Further more that the time the defendants in this suit shall enter appearance and file their processes in defence of this suit is abridged to seven (7) days.”
He adjourned the matter to 8th April, 2020 for hearing.
The AUTHORITY recalls that Justice Danlemi Senchi, had on Wednesday granted an order of Interim Injuction stopping Oshiomhole from parading himself as the APC National Chairman.
