Ibrahim Tanko, Chief Justice of Nigeria, has summoned six state Chief Judges to explain why they issued conflicting orders on the same matter over the past month.

The six state chief judges summoned are Ijeoma Agugua of Imo state, Chibuzor Amadi of Rivers, Mohammed Ambursa of Kebbi, Onochie Anyachebelu of Anambra, Akon Ikpeme of Cross River and Umar Sadiq of Jigawa.

Daily Nigerian reports that the aforementioned chief judges are to appear before the National Judicial Council (NJC) to give reasons why they issued conflicting orders by courts of coordinate jurisdiction on ex-parte motions filed by some political parties.

“It has become expedient for me to invite you for a detailed briefing on the development. This is even more compelling having regard to an earlier NJC warning to Judicial officers on the need to be circumspect in granting ex-parte application,” the invite said. 

Recall that on August 25, a state High Court sitting in Kebbi ordered Uche Secondus to return to his position as national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), days after an order stopping him from parading himself as the PDP chairman was issued by Justice O. Gbasam of Rivers state High Court on August 23.

On August 27, another High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River, granted an order restraining Mr Secondus from resuming office as PDP national chairman.