Keyamo drags FG to Court over appointment of Gov Muazu as NIMASA Boss...Despite N20 billion fraud indictment

Attorney and humnan rights activist, Festus Keyamo, has dragged the Federal Government to an Abuja High Court over the appointment of Ex Bauchi Governor, Adamu Muazu as chairman of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Pointblanknews.com had exclusively reported that the Federal Government had brushed aside the N20 fraud hanging over Muazu's head to make him NIMASA's helmsman.

It was learnt that his appointmnet was facilitated by some of his allies, the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Bala Mohammed.

A white paper into the activities of Muazu as Bauchi governor, had indicted him for alleged misappropriation of N20 Billion state funds.

Joined as co defendants are the Attorney general, Bello Adoke, Muazu, and the Transport Minister.

The suit was filled by Oghenovo Otemu and Alexander Oketa of the Keyamo chambers.

Issues for determination are:
1. Whether the Government White Paper on the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Management of some Ministries, Parastatals, Extra Ministerial Departments of the Public Service of Bauchi State from May, 1999 to May, 2007 is not a valid and binding document on all authorities and persons in Nigeria, including the Defendants, until set aside by a Court of competent jurisdiction.

2. Whether by virtue of the Recommendations and the Bauchi State Government's position which banned the 1st Defendant from holding public office for a period of ten years and which is contained and/or published in the Government White Paper on the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Management of some Ministries, Parastatals, Extra Ministerial Departments of the Public Service of Bauchi State from May, 1999 to May, 2007, the 1st Defendant can be appointed by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants into any public office until 2019.

3. Whether the appointment of the 1st Defendant as Board Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency by 2nd Defendant is not null and void by virtue of the Recommendations and the Bauchi State Government's position which banned the 1st Defendant from holding public office for a period of ten years and which is contained and/or published in the Government White Paper on the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Management of some Ministries, Parastatals, Extra Ministerial Departments of the Public Service of Bauchi State from May, 1999 to May, 2007.

The plaintiffs claims the following:
1. A DECLARATION THAT the Government White Paper on the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Management of some Ministries, Parastatals, Extra Ministerial Departments of the Public Service of Bauchi State from May, 1999 to May, 2007 is a valid and binding document on all authorities and persons in Nigeria, including the Defendants, until set aside by a Court of competent jurisdiction.

2. A DECLARATION THATby virtue of the Recommendations and the Bauchi State Government’s position which banned the 1st Defendant from holding public office for a period of ten years and which is contained and/or published in the Government White Paper on the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Management of some Ministries, Parastatals, Extra Ministerial Departments of the Public Service of Bauchi State from May, 1999 to May, 2007, the 1st Defendant cannot be appointed into any public office until 2019.

 
3. A DECLARATION THAT the appointment of the 1st Defendant as Board Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency by the 2nd Defendant is null and void by virtue of the Recommendations and the Bauchi State Government’s position which banned the 1st Defendant from holding public office for a period of ten years and which is contained and/or published in the Government White Paper on the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Management of some Ministries, Parastatals, Extra Ministerial Departments of the Public Service of Bauchi State from May, 1999 to May, 2007.

4. AN ORDER nullifying the appointment of the 1st Respondent by the 2nd Respondent as Board Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

5. AND SUCH FURTHER ORDERor other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.