Ebonyi Assembly Crisis: Court Orders Parties To Maintain Quo

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered Ebonyi House of Assembly, the Clerk of the Assembly and other Defendants in the matter to maintain quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, made this order on Wednesday via an ex-parte motion, dated February 24, 2022, filed by Obasi Odefa and two lawmakers, Ngọzi Eziụlọ (PDP-Afikpo North East) and Oliver Osi (PDP-Ivo).

In the SUIT NO: marked, FCH/ABJ/ CS/223/2022, the plaintiffs challenged the removal of Odefa as the deputy speaker and declaration of their seats vacant.

Court ordered: “An order of this Honourable Court directing that the originating processes in this matter and all other subsequent processes be served on the 5th to 8th Respondents by substituted means to wit:

“By serving 5th to 8th Respondents by substituted means, by delivering to any adult, official, staff of person, and or by pasting at Ebonyi Liaison office at plot 146 Mississippi Street, Off Alvan Ikoku Way.

“An Interim Order of this Honourable Court restraining the defendants, especially the 5th to 8th Respondents, ether by themselves, their servants, assigns or privies or otherwise howsoever from taking any other or further steps as it relates to the entire circumstances of this matter and or from disturbing the plaintiffs’ membership of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, pending the hearing and final determination of the motion on notice.

“An order of this Honourable Court directing parties in this suit to maintain the status quo ante bellum that existed on the 18th day of February 2022 pending the hearing and final determination of the motion on notice already pending before this Honourable Court.”

Other Defendants in the suit are speaker, the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attorney General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, and the State Security Services.

The matter was adjourned to March 16th for hearing.