A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has re-affirmed the sack of Sen. Ali
Modu Sheriff as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The court, presided over by Justice Nwamaka Ogbonnaya, reaffirmed the sack
on the ground that the judgment of Justice Valentine Ashi, which nullified
his appointment on June 29 has not been set aside or vacated and is
therefore subsisting.
The court further held that all actions taken by Senator Ali Modu-Sherif
are null, void and of no effect since the earlier order of Justice Ashi
remains binding
The Court restrains Sen Ali Modu-Sherif from further parading himself as
the National Chairman of the PDP.
Justice Ashi had in his judgment nullified the 2014 PDP Constitution
amendment upon which Senator Sheriff is said to have been appointed as PDP
Chairman.
The court described the amendment of the party’s constitution as illegal
and a violation of the Electoral Act and, therefore, declared all actions
carried out with the document including anybody parading himself or
herself as officer of the party as illegal.
The leadership of the party has been faced with series of court orders
after the controversial Port Harcourt National Convention which gave birth
to the Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee.
Senator Sheriff had challenged the legality of the Caretaker Committee,
insisting he is the rightful leader of the party.
However, the court voided the said amendment on the basis that there was
no compliance with mandatory provisions of Article 66 (2) and (3) of the
PDP constitution.
“By reason of the above, the purported amendments introduced to the
constitution on the aforesaid dates, are hereby set-aside.
“All persons, individuals, servants or agents of PDP parading themselves
as national officers of the PDP pursuant to the purported amendment which
has now been nullified are hereby restrained from further parading
themselves in these capacities “, Justice Ashi said.