The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to save democracy in the country from imminent collapse, saying; “The way and manner restraining orders are granted by the courts on cases that should ordinarily be internal affairs of political parties is capable of destroying democracy in the country.”
In a release issued by the party’s Zonal Secretary, Hon. Kayode Babade, the PDP, which said over 15 restraining orders had been granted by a particular judge of the Federal Court, Lagos against the party, added that; “If this trend is allowed to continue, one day, a judge in this country will grant an order retraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting elections, and that will mark the end of democracy in Nigeria.”
The party however hailed the decision of the Appeal Court in Lagos to stay execution or further execution of the judgements and orders of Hon Justice C.E Archibong of the Federal High Court in Suit Number FHC/L/CS/1248/11 delivered on 27th January, 2012 or any contempt proceeding or action arising from the judgement pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
“In a single court and by a single judge, over 15 restraining orders had been granted against our party. Most of these orders were granted without recourse to the due process of law.
“And we begin to wonder whether restraining orders has become so cheap that they are granted even without affected parties being put on notice.
“Even yesterday, while the Court of Appeal was staying execution of the judgements and orders of Justice C.E Archibong of the Federal High Court in Suit Number FHC/L/CS/1248/11 delivered on 27th January, 2012 or any contempt proceeding or action arising from the judgement judge against the PDP, the same judge was granting another order, restraining the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) from conducted the State Local Government elections.
“The implication of this is that, if a court can restrain a State Electoral Commission from performing its duties, one day, INEC too will be restrained from conducting Presidential and National Assembly elections, and that will be the end of democracy in Nigeria!
“The CJN and NJC must therefore be concerned about the way and manner restraining orders are granted by some judges in this country before we get to such a ridiculous level where the courts will begin to restrain husbands from sleeping with their wives,” PDP said.