A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Thursday, issued an interim injunction restraining the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the president of the Ijaw National Congress, and the chairman of the electoral committee from inaugurating, swearing in, or presenting for inauguration any persons as officers of the INC.
The election which held on April 13, was declared null and void by CITRE over breaches of the constitution.
Pastor Victor Burubo, Eneyo Athanasius Emmanuel, and Ekene Okeigbeye had filed the suit praying the court to stop the inauguration.
Justice Sobere Biambo, after hearing submissions from V. U. Uzochukwu, counsel to the applicants, granted the injunction restraining the defendants from swearing in any officer that emerged from the April 13 election, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
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Justice Biambo adjourned the case to May 8, to hear the motion on notice.
It would be recalled that the Chairman of CITRE, who doubles as the Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, had, in a press conference held after the controversial election, stated that in the eyes of Ijaw traditional rulers and elders, there was no election on April 13.
