Generally speaking interim orders are not permanent as they are made to last for a while – usually pending the determination of the suit or motion on notice as in this case. The legal question in this issue is whether whatever such interim orders achieved in the interim can be ignored or considered nonexistent after the expiration of the time it was in operation particularly when the order is mandatory in nature and the command had been obeyed. Can the law undo what had been done in obedience of court order in the circumstances of this case I do not think that the coming to an end of an interim order adversely affects whatever that order was meant to achieve or achieved. If the order was a restraining order you cannot say that while it lasted or remained in operation, the party sought to be restrained was never restrained. It only means that the restrain is now at an end and that the party is free of the restraint. The same applies where the order is restorative or mandatory in terms of relief No. 2 supra.
— Onnoghen, JSC. Kubor v. Dickson (2012) – SC.369/2012