By Vivian Okejeme Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday adjourned indefi nitely, a suit fi led by a former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, seeking an order to set aside his suspension for 180 legislative days by the House of representatives. Recall that on September 28, 2016, Jibrin was suspended by members of the house for 180 legislative sittings with the motion moved by Orker -Jev Yisa.
Th e court’s decision was based on the fact that the appeal fi led by two members of the House of Representatives, Nicholas Ossai and Orker-Jev Yisa to challenge the judge’s ruling, which earlier dismissed their applications to be joined as defendants to the suit, had been entered by the Court of Appeal. Jibrin’s lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), while reacting to the ruling, informed the judge that plans by interested parties was to render the suit “spent and nugatory” as the suspension which his client sought to challenge, would lapse on June 28.
Justice John Tsoho had on April 28 fi xed Wednesday for the hearing of a motion for stay of proceedings fi led by the two interested parties, asking the court to suspend hearing in the suit until the Court of Appeal decided their appeal against the ruling denying them opportunity to be joined in the suit. But their lawyer, Mr. Hakeem Kareem, appeared before Justice Tsoho, informed the judge that since the last court session, his clients’ appeal before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, had been entered. Counsel for the defendants on record – the House of Representatives and the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara – Mr. Kalu Onuoha, aligned with Kareem’s position.
But, Falana argued that the judicial authorities cited by the interested parties’ lawyer would only be applicable if the parties pursuing the appeal before the Court of Appeal were parties on record. “Th is suit is adjourned pending the decision of the Court of Appeal on the motion for stay of proceedings,” Justice Tsoho ruled.