ABUJA—Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, fixed September 29 to decide whether or not he should hands off the legal tussle between two factions of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Senators Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff.

The judge had on August 15 issued an order of interlocutory injunction that barred the party from conducting its national convention.

The order, which came barely 48 hours to a convention the party scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt on August 17, equally stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from monitoring the exercise.

He said the party must not sponsor any candidate or conduct election into any of its national offices, pending the determination of a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/464/2016, which Sheriff and seven others lodged before the court.

Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing on the matter yesterday, Markafi and six other members of the party, through their lawyer, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, challenged the jurisdiction of Justice Abang to further preside over the matter.

They asked Justice Abang to hands off the suit and await judgment of the Court of Appeal on three separate appeals entered against his previous decisions on the PDP leadership crisis.

Ukala, who notified the court that the appeals were filed on July 28, August 15 and 16, respectively, said there was need for Justice Abang to “step aside” from the case.

“Once an appeal has been entered, the court below ought to stand aside and allow the Court of Appeal to have the opportunity to exercise its jurisdiction on the matter”, Ukala submitted.

PassingShot:
So, na you go decide who go judge your case.

#IStandWithSheriff

PassingShot:
So, na you go decide who go judge your case.

#IStandWithSheriff

HIGHESTPOPORI:
Continue standing with Sheriff,while INEC recognises Markafi candidates for election like Pastor Ize Iyamu our next Governor in Edo State

PassingShot:

At the end of the day, after all the court cases are done with, you guys will realize you've aligned with the wrong candidate.

Makarfi is an usurper.

PassingShot:

At the end of the day, after all the court cases are done with, you guys will realize you've aligned with the wrong candidate.

Makarfi is an usurper.

BrokenTV:

What business do you have in PDP affair, or those this concern APC.

Jirate:
This Bangerish Judge is lucky he isn't my Tenant, eviction would not have been enough punishment for him. He is also lucky to be Male rather than Female, had it been otherwise, her Husband would have PanelBeaten her to Oblivion.

cyrilamx:
When you now beat beat her as PDP supporter and APC use soldiers on you as ruling party, what will you now say?

SmartChoices:

Beating get levels. Not all beatings are physical

cyrilamx:
your own beating wil be simultaneously physical n spiritual so you won't have chance for revenge...

SmartChoices:


Keep your nose out of my business.

cyrilamx:
If you can't stand the scrutiny of your opinion, keep it out of public domain

PassingShot:

#IStandWithSheriff and anything that will destroy the Poverty Development Party

Pavarottii:
That's the way it should be. Since they r cases in higher courts; the lower courts shoud step aside.