Confusion as another high court halts Oshiomhole’s suspension

There is confusion as a federal high court in Kano has issued an interim order halting the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Another federal high court had on Monday issued an order suspending him.

In law, a court of co-equal jurisdiction cannot review the judgment of another.

At its sitting in Kano on Thursday, A. Lewis-Allagoa, the judge, asked parties involved to “maintain the status quo ante bellum (the situation before the current state)” pending the court’s final decision.

The judge gave the ruling following an application by one Aliyu Rabiu asking the court to stop the APC and INEC from effecting Oshiomhole’s suspension.

The application specifically asked the court to stop those involved in the matter from giving effect to the resolution of the APC helmsman’s ward to suspend him in 2019.

Apart from the APC and the police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) were joined as respondents in the suit.

While the interim order does not relate to Oshiomhole’s suspension by a federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday, it rubs off on it given that the court’s judgement was based on Oshiomhole’s suspension by his ward.

The Abuja court had said it was wrong for him to remain at the helm of affairs after his suspension by the state chapter of the party.

The Edo chapter of the APC suspended Oshiomhole — who has been at daggers drawn with Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state.

Anselm Ojezua, the APC chairman in Edo, had said Oshiomhole was suspended because of “his role” in the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party.

Oshiomhole is already in court to appeal against his suspension.