PDP Convention: Our decision remains valid – Court insists!

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has reportedly declared that July 4, 2016 ruling of Justice M. Liman on the decision of the National Convention that removed the former acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic People, Ali Modu Sheriff, remains valid.

Delivering a judgment on Suit Number FHC/PH /CS /585/2016, filed by Senator Ben Obi for himself and other members of the National Planning Committee of the PDP, against the Inspector-General of Police,

the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services and the Independent National Electoral Commission, Justice Ibrahim Watila insisted that since the July 4 judgement had not been set aside by a higher court, its judgement remained effective.

Justice Watila reportedly said specifically that the 1st, 3rd and 5th defendants in the matter; Inspector General of Police, Department of State Services and the Independent National Electoral Commission were also bound by the July ruling.

Senator Ben Obi had asked the court to rule on whether the July 4, 2016 judgement was binding on the 1st, 3rd and 5th defendants in the matter.

Punch reported that the trial judge explained that the court was always jealous of its ruling until it was set aside by a higher court, maintaining that,

“Every authority expected to carry out a court judgement should not assist in flouting such court orders and This court will not shy away from protecting the sanctity of its judgment. The court has held that the appointment of the PDP National Caretaker Committee is valid”.