Justice Joy Okeaya-Inneh
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
The Claimants’ Principal Counsel in the People Democratic Party (PDP) restraining order pending in an Edo High Court, professor Job Odion, has been summoned to appear by the presiding Judge, Justice Joy Okeaya-Inneh.
The Claimants: Chief Idehen Ekundayo, Stanley Iduoze and Odion Omadimhe, who are PDP Chieftains had circulated through their Counsel, a restraining Court Order in the media, purportedly issued by the presiding Judge, Justice Joy Okeaya-Inneh stopping the National Vice Chairman of the Party, South-South; Chief Dan Orbih and 11 others, from attending its national Convention which held recently in Abuja.
The restraining order came up for hearing on Wednesday, 3 November, 2021.
On resumption of proceedings, Counsel to the Claimants; Mrs. Edafe-krire attempted to file another motion, but was stopped by the Judge requesting to know who obtained the said Experte Order and the Counsels’ involvement in the process.
According to reports, the visibly angry Presiding Judge who had previously denied granting the said Experte Order against the defendants, said she was shocked when it trended nationwide as it never emanated from her Court.
She consequently ordered, that the principal counsel in the matter, professor Job Odion should appear before her on Wednesday, November 10th, 2021.
Speaking to radio Nigeria after the case was adjourned, one of the counsels to the defendants Anderson Asemota condemned the Claimants’ action as barbaric.
Before the order, it was said the Judge had threatened to de – robe the Claimants’ Counsel and put her in the dock to testify on oath, that she had no hand in the matter but was saved by a very senior Counsel in Court, who appealed for mercy on her behalf.
Following circulation of the said restraining order in the media, Edo State Judiciary had issued a rebuttal in a statement by the Court’s Chief Registrar, Benson Osawaru that no such restraining order was issued by Justice Okeaya-Inneh.
“Let it be stated for record purposes that no such restraining order was issued by Hon. Justice Joy Okeaya-Inneh.
“The applicants were only ordered to place the respondents on notice, and leave was granted to the Claimants/Applicants to serve the originating processes on the PDP outside the jurisdiction of the Court.
“And a further leave was granted to the Applicants to serve the originating processes by substituted means.
“The enrolled order which the media houses based their publication, did not place a restraining order on anyone.”
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