Court restrains Buni, others from parading as APC national committee members

Justice Marshal Umukoro of an Asaba High Court has restrained Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, and other members from parading themselves as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caretaker Committee (NWC) until the determination of the suit before the court.

Justice Umukoro also stopped the APC council congress in Delta State slated for October 4, 2021.

Deputy Chairman of APC, Olorogun Elvis Ayomanor, who led other officials of the Delta APC, had approached the court following the July 10, 2021 ward congress, which was allegedly hijacked.

In the ex-parte motion filed by the applicants, lead counsel, Ebipade Richard, prayed the court to grant the seven-point reliefs sought, adding that continuing with the Saturday, September 4 congress in Delta State, would cause more damage to his clients.

Principal among the reliefs sought by the Claimants/Applicants was an order of interim injunction of this court restraining the second and 14th defendant from further acting or parading themselves as the members of the Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the 1st Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed and served in the suit.

Lead counsel to the respondents, Robert Emukpoeruo, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit, but argued that certain parties be joined as co-defendants.

But Richard mentioned the fact that the matter before the court was an ex-parte motion that did not require the parties’ consideration.

In his ruling, Justice Umukor adjourned the hearing on the suit to September 7, 2021.