A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an extension to the interim order that restrains the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from removing Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the national secretary of the party.

The order will remain in effect until the substantive matter is heard and determined.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, on Monday, directed all parties involved to maintain the status quo in the case and adjourned the matter until December 19 for a hearing.

During the proceedings, the plaintiff’s counsel, Moses Onyilokwu, informed the court that the lawyer for the defendants had served them a counter affidavit in response to the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction. Onyilokwu requested a short time to respond to the application.

The defendants’ lawyer, Mohammed Atolagbe, acknowledged serving Onyilokwu with the counter affidavit and argued that they were within the allowed time to file their substantive response.

Justice Ekwo expressed dissatisfaction with the late filing but emphasized that since the party had submitted themselves to the court, no action should be taken that could affect the case. Therefore, he ordered all parties to maintain the status quo.