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There seems to be no respite in sight for embattled Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as 13 members of the Kogi state House of Assembly dragged the state governor, G-5 Legislators and Minister of Finance to a Federal High Court in Lokoja over the 2016 Appropriation Bill.
The Legislators in their originating summons sought the court to nullify the purported passage of the 2016 Appropriation bill earlier assented by the governor.
The summons No: FHC/LKJ/CS/31/16 filled by the newly reinstated Speaker Rt. Hon. Momoh Jimoh and 12 other, against Hon. Umar Ahmed Imam and 15 other respondents, also asked the court to declare that the governor’s assent in the 2016 Appropriation bill, is illegal and fraud.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, S. I. Ibrahim Esq who filed the suite on the 17th of May 2016, seeks unbehalf of his clients, sought for a determination as to whether, “Having regard to the exercise of the Power of the National Assembly taking over the functions of the state House of Assembly pursuant to section 11 (4) of the Constitution, the Kogi state House of Assembly could carry on any legislative Bill and granting approval for accessing bailout fund or exercise any legislative powers however described during the pendency of the said National Assembly resolution.”
The lawmakers further sought the relief of the honorable court to declare that only the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can legitimately legislate for Kogi state House of Assembly pursuant to the takeover order on the 16th of March 2016.
Among other relief, is a declaration by the court that the Kogi state House of Assembly Appropriation Law 2016 is illegal, null and void having been passed in violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Also joined in the suit are the Attorney-General of the federation, Governor of Central Bank, Accountant General of Kogi state and Clerk of the Kogi state House of Assembly.
It would be recalled the National Assembly had ordered all pending legislative activities including the 2016 Budget, be forwarded before for onward deliberation.
Hearing of the case comes up the 21st of June 2016.
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