A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has restrained one of the state governorship aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Murtala Yakubu from participating in the primary election of the party.
The APC gubernatorial primary election has been scheduled for April 14th, 2023.
Justice A.S. Ibrahim granted an order of interim injunction following a motion ex-parte on March 31st, 2023 and filed on April 3rd, 2023 by Imaji Danladi and Amoka Suberu against Ajaka (1st defendant) and the APC (2nd defendants).
The applicants sought for an order of interim “restraining the 1st Defendant, Hon. Murtala Yakubu (Ajaka), from participating as an aspirant/candidate in any election/state congress organized by the 2nd Defendant including the 2′ Defendant’s Gubernatorial Primary in Kogi State scheduled for the 14 day of April. 2023, having lost all membership rights and privileges by virtue of his suspension by the 2nd Defendant at the Ward Level by the Executive Members of Ajaka Ward 1, Kogi State, on the 17 day of March, 2023, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed.
“ An order of interim injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant and all its Organs and Members, including the Kogi State Governorship Primary Elections Committee, 2023, from taking any steps preparatory for enabling the 1 Defendant participate or indeed allowing the 1s Defendant participate in the upcoming 2 Defednant’s Kogi State Gubernatorial Primary Election slated for the 14* day of April, 2023, or any other date, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed.
“And for such further order (s ) this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”
Ruling on the motions, Justice Ibrahim granted that the motions have merit and granted that the 1st defendant is restrained from participating in the governorship primaries of the APC.
“Motion on Notice dated 31/03/2023 for interlocutory injunction shall be heard on 6/4/2023 at 12 noon. The defendants shall be served hearing notices and all the court processes forthwith and if the Applicants frustrate or defaults, this order shall be discharged.”
