ADVERTISEMENT

Court to determine stay of proceedings on lawmaker’s suspension

They held that the ruling shut them out of the substantive suit, hence their decision to go on appeal to resolve the issue of being joined as interested parties.

Abdulmumin Jibrin

Jibrin is the suspended Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation.

Justice John Tsoho fixed the date on Friday after hearing arguments for and against an application filed by two members of the House, Rep. Nicholas Ossai, and Rep. Oker Jev.

The two members are asking the court to put the hearing of the substantive matter on hold, pending the determination of their interlocutory appeal before the Court of Appeal.

ADVERTISEMENT

Counsel to the lawmakers, Mr Akeem Kareem, told the court that they had already filed a notice of appeal against the ruling of the court delivered on April 13, which prevented them from joining the suit as interested parties.

The lawmakers’ counsel said that they were dissatisfied with the ruling of the court.

The two applicants submitted that their interest would be jeopadised and their rights infringed on, should the court go ahead and hear the substantive matter without waiting for the resolution of the appeal.

They insisted that it would be against the principles of fair hearing if their application for stay of proceedings was not first determined by the court before proceeding with the substantive matter.

The position of the two lawmakers in seeking the stay of proceedings was supported by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, and the House of Representatives.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dogara’s counsel, Mr Kalu Onuoha, told the court that he had been served with the motion seeking the stay of proceedings.

He however said that he needed time to respond to it as required by law, adding that it was the fundamental right of the two applicants to get fair hearing from the court.

In opposing the motion, Jibrin’s counsel, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), asked the court to discountenance the motion for stay of proceedings.

He said this was on the grounds that those seeking to stop the substantive matter had no “locus standi” (business) to do so.

ADVERTISEMENT

Falana argued that the two lawmakers had been effectively shut out from joining the case by the April 13 ruling of the court.

According to him, for them to appear in the matter or file an interlocutory appeal, they need to obtain leave of the court first.

He held that without the leave of the court, the appeal of the two lawmakers was incompetent and invalid, and therefore could not be adjudicated upon by any court.

Justice Tsoho, in his ruling, said that the two lawmakers needed the leave of the court before they could file an appeal.

He however agreed to hear the motion seeking to stay proceedings in the interest of fair hearing, adding that the issue of fair hearing was constitutional and took precedence over any other matter.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tsoho adjourned the matter until May 10 for hearing of the application.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

BREAKING: Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

BREAKING: Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT