UPDATE: Kano Court sets aside ruling suspending Oshiomole as APC chairman

A Federal High Court in Kano, Court one, presided over by Justice Lewis Allagoa had, on Thursday, set aside a court ruling sacking the National chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Adam Oshiomole.

Given the ruling on the interim injunction, Justice Allagoa ordered the various parties to maintain the status quo, pending the hearing and determination of the case

Justice Alagoa then ordered that the status quo ante Bellum be maintained, pending the hearing of the motion on notice by the applicant, Aliyu Muhammad Rabiu.

It would be recalled that Rabiu had, on the 4th March 2020, filed a motion exparte against All Progressive Congress (1st respondent), Adams Oshiomhole, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Inspector General of Police and Director-General of State Security Service as 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents.

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According to him, he is seeking that the court direct all the parties to this suit to maintain the status quo ante Bellum pending the hearing and disposal of the motion on notice filed, that is, an order directing the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants either by themselves, servants, privies, assigns or any officer among others from given effect to the purported resolution of the ward 10 Estako West Local government area of 2nd November 2019 suspending the 2nd defendant as a member of the 1st defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Justice Alagoa said, “That all the parties to this suit are directed to maintain the status quo ante Bellum pending the hearing and disposal of the motion on notice filed herein that is, an order directing the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants either by themselves, servants, privies, assigns or any officer howsoever described and whatever name called from giving effect to the purported resolution of the ward, Etsako West Local Government area of 2nd November, 2019 suspending the 2nd defendant (Oshiomhole) as a member of the 1st defendant (APC) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

He also stated that: “Also that the 3rd defendant (INEC) is restrained from dealing, communicating or howsoever recognising any person order than the 2nd defendant (Oshiomhole) as the National Chairman of the 1st defendant (APC) for any party business or carrying out any duties vested on the commission by the Electoral Act.

“Furthermore that the time the defendants in this suit shall enter appearance and file their processes in defence of this suit is abridged to seven (7) days.”

The presiding Judge, Justice Lewis Alagoa adjourned the matter to 8th April 2020 for hearing.

However, it could be recalled that on Wednesday, Justice Danlemi Senchi, had granted an order of interim injunction stopping Oshiomhole from parading himself as the APC National Chairman.

Based on the purported interim injunction stopping him, Chief Oshiomhole reportedly appealed the judgement at the Court of Appeal, Abuja division.