[UPDATE] APC: Court grants Giadom interim order to preside over NEC affairs…As Appeal Court Stays Oshiomhole’s Suspension
Justice Samira Bature of the an FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, on Monday granted an interim order permitting Chief Victor Giadom,the current Acting National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to act as the National Chairman of the party.
This came as a reconstituted Court of Appeal in Abuja also Monday stayed the order of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court which restrained Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from continuing in office as the National Chairman of the APC.
The judge granted the order in a motion ex-parte, marked FCT/HC/M/6447/2020, filed by APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, which was argued by his counsel, O.C. Ugwu, Esq.
Joined as defendants in the motion are Babatunde Ogala; Lanre Issa-Onilu; Waziri Bulama and the party, APC.
Salihu had approached the court, through the exparte motion, seeking for an interim order allowing Giadom to pilot the affairs of the party .
And also, as acting chairman and to preside at all meetings of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) pending the decision of the party’s NEC fixed for March 17.
The applicant also sought an interim order restraining the APC and its officers or anyone purporting to act as an officer of the 4th defendant (APC) from preventing or in any way disturbing Giadom from functioning as the acting chairman.
He added, unless otherwise decided by the NEC of the party pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
After listening to the motion as argued by Ugwu, Justice Bature granted the interim order as prayed.
“Application is hereby granted as prayed,” the judge ordered.
Bature then adjourned the matter until March 20 for hearing.
Meanwhile, the 3-man panel of justices chaired by Justice Abubakar Datti Yahaha approved Oshiomhole’s appeal.
The Abuja Division Appellate Court justices via an interlocutory injunction unanimously restrained security operatives from taking any steps to give effect to the ruling of Justice Danlami Senchi of the FCT High Court pending the determination of Oshiomhole’s appeal before the justices. Justice Senchi had ordered Oshiomhole to step down from his post.
The appeals court ruling followed an ex-parte motion filed by Mr. Oshiomhole through his lawyer, Mr. Wale Olanipekun.
The court reconvenes Thursday on the matter.
(With additional reports from NAN/THEWILL )