Wole Ayodele in Jalingo
The Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo under trial Justice Bala Usman has restrained the newly appointed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Taraba State, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa from assuming office.
Ruling on an exparte motion filed by Alhaji Inuwa Bakari yesterday, Justice Usman gave an order of interim injunction restraining Alhaji Bawa from parading himself or functioning as Chairman of the party pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Alhaji Bawa, who was the Special Adviser (Political) to governor Darius Ishaku was appointed Chairman of the party penultimate Friday to replace Alhaji Bakari who was acting Chairman of the party.
Bakari, who was Vice Chairman of the party assumed acting Chairmanship of the party following the resignation of Lt. Col. Agbu Kefas to contest the gubernatorial primaries of the party.
Defendants in the suit are the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
A Certified True Copy of the ruling obtained by THISDAY in Jalingo read in part “upon this MOTION EX-PARTE dated the 31th day of March, 2023 and filed on the same date coming up before this Honourable Court praying for the following reliefs:
“AN ORDER of INTERIM INJUNCTION restraining the 2nd Defendant Abubakar Bawa from acting, carrying out functions and parading himself as the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Taraba State chapter pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
“AN ORDER restraining the 1st Defendant from taking any step (s) that may negatively affect the membership right of the Plaintiff as the acting chairman of the 1st Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
“AN ORDER restraining the 1 Defendant by itself or any of its organs at any level from expelling, suspending, reprimanding, censuring, fining, debartment from any party office and removal of the Plaintiff from office pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
“AND for such further or other Order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances”.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Usman ruled granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff and adjourned the matter to 9th of May, 2023 for hearing.
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