APC file appeal at Supreme Court over order against party congresses in Bayelsa

By Kuwekuzi Aigbe

The Bayelsa State chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC) has filed a notice of Appeal and Stay of Execution of the July 30th order of the State High Court stopping the party from conducting the ward, Local Government, and State congresses of the party in the state.

Subsequently, the Bayelsa High Court sitting in Yenagoa and presided over by Justice Enekinimi Uzaka, yesterday adjourned hearing on the interim injunction granted some aggrieved members of the APC namely Ompadec Victor, Esuenifen Obi, and Seimiegha Ebobofe pending the appeal filed by the Party against the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State before the Supreme Court.

At yesterday’s sitting at the State High Court, the Counsel to the APC, Samuel Somiari, SAN told the Court about the party’s Motion on Notice and Stay of Execution filed before the Supreme Court and that the Court can no longer adjudicate on the matter. He also pointed out that the case is a continuum and not a new one,” being continuum and not to impose fait accompli on the court.”

“We have reached the Supreme Court. The High Court should await the outcome of the Supreme Court. It is to pause and go to the Supreme Court.” He told the court.

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In his submission, Perekedou Fawei Esq the Counsel to the claimants, Ompadec Victor, Esuenifen Obi, and Seimiegha Ebobofe, argued that the State High Court had given an order and irrespective of what the party position, the order must be obeyed,” the defendants should not be allowed to flagrantly abuse the order of the court.” He also urged the State High Court to protect its integrity against the alleged attempt by the APC to abuse it.

In his ruling, Justice Inekinimi Uzaka, said based on of dignity of the processes and the superiority of the Courts, he agreed to adjourn the case till February 3rd, 2022 for parties in the suit to report to the court on the outcome of the Appeal filed by the APC before the Supreme Court.

It would be recalled that the State High Court sitting in Yenagoa had on the 30th of July issued an Interim Order against the APC to stop the conduct of the Ward, Local Government, and State congresses. An appeal filed by the APC before the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State also failed as it was thrown out for lack of merit.