Justice M.A. Hassan of an Abuja High Court has issued a restraining order and stay of the proceedings in a criminal summons filed against Ikenga Ugochinyere, the spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).
The criminal summons was allegedly initiated by Chinasa Nwaneri, a Special Assistant (Special Duties) to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
The allegations contained in the summons bordered on the revelation of alleged fraud by the All Progressives Congress in the voter register in 18 states, including Imo State, by Ugochinyere.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Hassan suspended further proceedings on the matter, pending the hearing of the application for judicial review filed by Ugochinyere.
In the certified true copy of the judgment was obtained on Thursday, the judge granted leave to the applicant by way of an order for certiorari including an order of prohibition directed against the respondents by themselves or acting jointly or through agents, prohibiting them from conducting any hearing or further proceedings against the applicant in the matter of Nze Chinasa Nwaneri v Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, case No. WZ6/CR/30/2022, or on any facts constituting the same subject matter as that case.
He also granted an order of injunction restraining each of the respondents by themselves, jointly or through agents, in respect of any matter whose subject matter constitutes the same as the case.
Ugochinyere would also seek to ask for an award of the sum of N50m only against the respondents jointly and severally as general damages for the unlawful prosecution, humiliation and embarrassment caused to the applicant and his business.
The matter has been adjourned to January 3, 2023 for substantive hearing.