Aiyedatiwa: Federal High Court Abuja Orders Remain Valid And In Force — Adegboruwa SAN

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ebun–Olu Adegboruwa,(SAN), has clarified the status of the orders issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 26, 2023, stating that these orders remain in force and valid until the pending motion on notice is heard and determined. Adegboruwa’s statement aims to address misconceptions surrounding the duration of these court orders.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had issued several orders of injunction on September 26, 2023, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice related to an ongoing legal matter. Contrary to the belief that such orders automatically expire after fourteen days, Adegboruwa emphasized that the presiding judge explicitly directed that these orders would remain in force until the pending motion on notice is adjudicated.
Furthermore, Adegboruwa highlighted that there are two applications currently before the court, both filed by the defendants involved in the case. One application, submitted by the Governor of Ondo State, seeks to set aside the previously issued orders, while the other, presented by the Ondo House of Assembly, seeks a stay of execution of these orders.
Under legal principles, an ex-parte order, such as the ones issued in this case, is legally binding and continues to be in effect until the motion on notice associated with it is fully heard and determined.
Adegboruwa also stressed that the pending legal actions challenging the impeachment proceedings effectively prevent the defendants from taking any actions that could potentially undermine the cases’ merit-based hearings. He emphasized the importance of respecting the rule of law, the authority of the court, and adhering to due process.
The statement by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, aims to provide clarity and dispel misconceptions regarding the duration and validity of court orders, ultimately promoting respect for the legal process and the rule of law.