AState High Court, in Makurdi has restrained the PDP from expelling, suspending or carrying out any punitive measure on Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
The court also restrained Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from receiving and acting on the information from the PDP seeking to disqualify Ortom from contesting or appearing on the ballot as candidate for Benue North Senatorial District under the PDP in the forthcoming elections, pending the determination of the motion on notice.
Justice Austin Ityonyiman gave the orders while ruling on an application by Abraham Kwaghngu.
Justice Ityonyiman said there was merit in the application following the oral argument by the Applicant’s Counsel, Sabastine Hon (SAN) and accordingly granted the reliefs sought.
Governor Samuel Ortom is the PDP candidate in the Benue North West Senatorial District election in the state.
The ex-parte motion in a suit No. MHC/46/2023, Motion no. MHC/2204/2023 was brought before Justice Augustine Ityonyiman sequel to an affidavit deposed to by Mr. Abraham Kwaghngu and filed on February 15, 2023. The PDP is the first defendant in the suit while INEC is the second defendant.
The Governor had through his counsel, Sebastian Hon sought an order of the court restraining PDP and INEC from expelling, suspending, levying any other punishment and or refusing to place his name on its list of candidates.