2 ex Kogi governors approach court to stop probe

2 ex Kogi governors approach court to stop probe

Monday, November 14, 2016 8:30 pm


Idris Wada: being probed by Bello's committee

Idris Wada: being probed by Bello’s committee

 

Richard Elesho/ Lokoja

Two former Governors of Kogi State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and Capt. Idris Wada on Monday  had a shaky start in their efforts to stop their probe by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry inaugurated by incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello.

Wada’s bid to stop the commission suffered an early death as the suit filed by his counsel, Chris Uche SAN, was dismissed for lack of merit.

Richard Olorunfemi, the High Court judge who dismissed the suit said it lacked merit. But Ibrahim Idris was luckier as he secured an expert motion on notice to serve Governor Bello and Nine others about his suit.

Wada in his motion seeking for injunction said, “Exparte application seeking for injunction for prohibiting certiorari and injunction prohibiting the 1st to 8th respondents for starting or commencing inquiry set up by the 9th respondents to inquire, probe or investigate the administration of Idris Wada.

“That the order directing the leave so granted shall operate as stay of all action by the respondents, agent and servants in connection with the matter”.

Ruling on the motion, the state High Court judge sitting in court 4, Justice Richard Olorunfemi dismissed it for lack of merit.

Former Governor Ibrahim Idris’ counsels, Dr. M.A Fagbemi (SAN) and J.O Olatoke (SAN) had last week Friday filed suit No: HCL/85/2016 at Kogi State High Court challenging the powers of Governor Bello to constitute the Judicial Commission of Inquiry with respect to Law of Northern Nigeria 1963 citing that the law has not been brought into conformity with 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Idris was said to have been physically present at the State High Court last Friday to depose to the affidavit in support of his originating motion that the panel’s composition was based on obsolete law and not in tandem with the Nigerian 1999 constitution.

Efforts to reach the respondents failed and Idris yesterday filed another exparte motion on notice with suit no: HCL/556/2016 praying the court to order that the 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10 respondents, (3rd respondent being the state attorney general and the rest being chairman, secretary and members of the panel) be served through substituted means.

The judge in his ruling disagreed with the prayer of Idris counsel, but ordered that the respondents be served through the normal means.

The court adjourned the case to December 19 for further hearing.

Coincidentally however, the Judicial Panel of Inquiry commenced sitting today at the old Exco Hall of Government House, Lokoja.


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