Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, warned against action that would undermine his decision in the ongoing suit seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s convention.
The judge gave the warning following the complaint by the lawyer to the PDP, Chris Uche (SAN), that his client was being held back by the status quo maintenance order by the court and applied for a speedy hearing of the suit.
He, however, reaffirmed that the status quo order remains in force and must not be flouted by any of the parties involved in the suit.
Omotosho said no party must take any step that may render the decision of the court nugatory and threatened to make a consequential order against any party that resorts to self-help.
The judge said the court would do everything possible to deliver judgment expeditiously for the respective parties to know their fate.
He cautioned against using any ploy to delay the speedy hearing of the suit.
Earlier at the resumed hearing, the PDP National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and Uche maintained their status as the party’s legal representative.
Justice Omotosho had, on Tuesday, adjourned the matter tll Thursday for the PDP to put its house in order on legal representation.
However, when Ajibade and Uche insisted they were the lawyers to appear for PDP, the judge directed them to file their processes for the court to determine the proper legal representation for the party.
He consequently fixed October 20 for the hearing of the substantive suit and other motions before him.
The judge fixed the date following confirmation that virtually all processes in the suit had been filed.
The plaintiffs in the suit are Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South)
On the other hand, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC,) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party were listed as defendants in the suit.
