An Abia State High Court in Osisioma this morning granted a motion filed by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State for extension of the order restraining the Chief Judge of the state, the President Abia State Customary Court of Appeal and any other judicial officer from swearing in Mr. Uche Ogah, as governor of the state.

The order has been extended to July 18, 2016.

The court, presided by Justice C. H. Ahuchaogu, had on June 30, while ruling on a motion exparte, brought by Ikpeazu, praying the court to stop the INEC, the state Chief Judge or any other legal officer from swearing in Dr Uche Ogah as governor of the state.

In a related development, a federal high Court sitting in Owerri in neighbouring Imo State, has dismissed the suit filed against Ikpeazu by Barrister Friday Nwosu, one of those he defeated during the December 2014 gubernatorial primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The suit was dismissed for lack of merit.