The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has restrained the Zamfara House of Assembly from impeaching Deputy Governor Mahdi Gusau.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order while delivering a ruling in an ex parte motion with a suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/650/2021) brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through its lawyer, Ogwu Onoja.

Mr Egwuatu, who ordered the defendants to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, also stopped the house from impeaching its other members who are still in the PDP.

He directed the plaintiff to serve all the defendants in the suit before Friday and adjourned the matter until July 23 to hear the motion on notice.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC, Senate President, Speaker of House of Representatives, Speaker of Zamfara House of Assembly, Governor Bello Matawalle and Zamfara chief judge are first to seventh defendants, respectively.

Recently, Mr Matawalle defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but his deputy, Mr Gusau, did not.

The lawmakers in the state had threatened to impeach Mr Gusau over activities they considered a threat to Zamfara security.

The PDP, through its lawyer, had urged the court to grant its prayer in the interest of justice.

The party said the court had the inherent power to grant the order.

“This is the only place we can run to, especially in a situation of chaos the state has found itself,” said PDP.

(NAN)