Court extends order restraining PDP from conducting congresses in Nasarawa

A High Court sitting in Doma Local Government Area, Nasarawa State has extended its order restraining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting its congresses in the state.

Recall that the court on Sept. 27, gave the restraining order following a motion filed by the plaintiffs- 16 members of the party led by Sen. Mohammed Ogoshi-Onawo (PDP, Nasarawa South)

The plaintiffs filed a case against, PDP (first respondent), Mr Francis Orogu, PDP Chairman (second respondent) and the State Working Committee of the party (third respondent).

Justice Abdullahi Shams-Shammah, extended the order in his ruling on Thursday after listening to arguments from the counsels to the plaintiffs and respondents respectively.

He extended the order and adjourned the case to Tuesday, Oct. 8 for continuation of hearing.

Earlier, Counsel to the plaintiffs, Ishaka Mudi-Diko (SAN), urged the court to extend the restraining order.

The counsel to the plaintiffs had also informed the court that the respondents had gone ahead to conduct ward congresses in the state in violation of the subsisting restraining order.

He argued that the court should nullify the ward congresses conducted by the respondents for violating its order.

On his part, Jacob Nzamanah, Counsel to the first respondent, acknowledged that four notices regarding the ex-parte order were affixed to the walls of the office of his client.

The counsel argued that his client had not been served with the originating processes, hence the court lacked jurisdiction to continue with the matter.

On the other hand, Daniel Obande, Counsel to the second and third respondents, said that his inability to file a memorandum for appearance was due to lack of service of court documents on his clients.

He requested that the court should adjourn the case to allow them adequate time to respond.