Court Warns Parties To Maintain Status Quo In Suit Blocking Fayose's Impeachment
… Adjourns Till May 21
SAN FRANCISCO, May 04, (THEWILL) – A Federal High Court in Abuja Monday, warned parties in the suit filed by the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Dele Olugbemi and six other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers, seeking an order declaring the seats of the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers vacant and the impeachment processes purportedly commenced by the APC lawmakers null and void, to maintain status quo ante bellum till May 21 that the matter was adjourned to.
The judge warned that it will be contemptuous for any of the parties to the case to anything that will affect the merit of the matter, citing the case of Ojukwu vs. Gov Of Lagos State (1985).
During the hearing of the suit with Number FHC/ABJ/CS/361/15 before Justice E. S. Chukwu, counsel to Dr Adewale Omirin and the 18 other APC lawmakers, Mr. Vembere filed preliminary objection, challenging the court's jurisdiction to hear the case.
While adjourning the matter till May 21, 2015 for adoption of written addresses on the preliminary objection, Justice Chukwu ruled that his order of April 23, 2015 that status quo ante bellum as at April 23, 2015 be maintained pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice remained valid.
Olugbemi and six others had filed the suit, seeking an order of injunction restraining the Clerk of the House from further according legislative privileges to Omirin and the other APC lawmakers in view of their continuous absence from meeting and legislative business of the State House of Assembly, and an order restraining the IGP from continuing to give cover, protection and shield to the APC lawmakers.
Olugbemi also sought from the court, an interim order setting aside all the activities, actions or steps taken by the APC lawmakers till date, including the purported commencement of impeachment proceedings and notice alleging misconduct against Governor Ayodele Fayose and his Deputy, Dr Olusola Eleka pending determination of the Motion on Notice and Interlocutory Injunction.