Nnamdi Felix / Abuja

Tambuwal: gets court reprieve

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a federal high court in Abuja has made an order directing the Peoples Democratic Party, its national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, and others not to reconvene the House of Representatives at least until Friday, 7th November when they have been directed to appear before the court and show cause why the reliefs being sought by the Speaker and the APC should not be granted.

The trial judge specifically directed that the status quo be maintained in the matter pending the 7th of November when the defendants are expected to appear before the court to show cause why the reliefs of the Speaker should not be granted.

The court noted that the order was to preserve the subject matter of the suit which borders on the Speaker’s position following his defection to the All Progressive Congress.

Justice Mohammed made the orders following the motion exparte moved on behalf of the Speaker and the APC by their lawyer, Mr. Sunday Ameh, a senior. Advocate of Nigeria, where he urged the court to protest the subject matter of a suit which they filed last Friday challenging the plots by the PDP to remove him as the Speaker of the House and declare his seat vacant.

The lawyer told the court that granting the orders will help preserve the subject matter of their suit which is the position of Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, his membership of the House as well his security which are all under threat.

He further told the court that the PDP had summoned its members at the House of Reps alongside the Deputy Speaker, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, for the purpose of plotting the re convening of the House for the sole purpose of discussing the removal of Tambuwal as the Speaker and member of the House.

He also pointed out that Order 5 Rules 18(1)(2) and (3) of the House Standing Rules empowers the Speaker to reconvene the House by directing the Clerk of the House of Reps to notify members and that it is unlawfull, unconstitutional, null and void for the PDP to move to reconvene the House outside of the Speaker.

The court, after ordering that the House should not be reconvened, adjourned till Friday when the defendants are expected to come and show cause why all the reliefs being sought by Tambuwal and APC should not be granted.