The Federal High Court in Benin City has again refused to grant an interim injunction filed by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his allies asking the court to restrain the All Progressives Congress from conducting its primary election set for the 22nd of June in the state.
In his ruling, the Judge who acknowledged the urgency and sensitivity of the matter refused the request of Obaseki’s legal representatives to grant an ex-parte order. Instead, the Judge set a full hearing for Thursday, June 11.
The Thursday hearing, according to the Judge, will allow the court to properly examine the merits of the filed injunction and provide a chance for all parties involved to argue their case before a verdict is delivered.
The Judge also ordered that the status quo should be maintained by all parties pending the hearing on Thursday.
Meanwhile, due to the absence of journalists during the hearing today, certain media stations have reported misleading accounts of the Judge’s decision.
An erroneous post earlier posted on the website of Channels Television claiming that a restraining order was issued has been deleted following clarifications from the legal teams and court officials.
All parties involved have expressed willingness to maintain the status quo as ordered by the court until the hearing on Thursday.