Court Stops Jonathan From ‘Sacking’ Jega
President Goodluck Jonathan has been restrained from sacking the chairman of INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega.
According to a report published online by TheCable, a federal high court in Lagos on Thursday restrained Mr President from going ahead with any real or imaginary plans to sack Prof Jega.
A copy of the order dated March 25, which was obtained by TheCable, informed that the trial judge, Mohammed Yunusa, restrained the federal government or any other body or agency from sacking Jega pending the determination of a suit filed by two political parties, Independent Democratic Party (IDP) and the Action Alliance (AA).
It was reported that Yunusa ordered the FG, its privies and agents to stay action on the removal of the INEC boss, pending the determination of the motion on notice filed before him by the two political parties.
The judge adjourned the matter to April 23, 2015 for report of compliance.
However,
in a motion ex-parte dated March 24, the two political parties prayed
for an order of interim injunction restraining the president or any
person, political party or anybody, whether by themselves or by their
servants, agents, privies or successors or otherwise however described,
from taking steps to review, regulate or jettison the procedure and
guidelines provided by INEC for the conduct of the 2015 general election
in the country, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on
notice.
The parties also prayed for an order of interim injunction directing Jonathan or any other persons or their agents to cause the removal of Jega except in compliance with Section 157(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
They further requested for an order of interim injunction restraining Jonathan or any other persons or their agents from tampering, and/or obstructing the INEC chair from discharging his function as he deems fit in compliance with the 1999 constitution (as amended) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The parties prayed for an order urging the president and his agents to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The defendants in the matter are the attorney-general of the federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).
President Jonathan, at his last presidential media chat, had said that he had the powers to remove Jega, because he who appoints could sack.
But
the president’s position was objected by many groups and parties who
insisted that the procedures for removal of INEC chairman were clearly
stated in the country’s laws, and that the president was legally wrong
in his statement.
According to a report published online by TheCable, a federal high court in Lagos on Thursday restrained Mr President from going ahead with any real or imaginary plans to sack Prof Jega.
A copy of the order dated March 25, which was obtained by TheCable, informed that the trial judge, Mohammed Yunusa, restrained the federal government or any other body or agency from sacking Jega pending the determination of a suit filed by two political parties, Independent Democratic Party (IDP) and the Action Alliance (AA).
It was reported that Yunusa ordered the FG, its privies and agents to stay action on the removal of the INEC boss, pending the determination of the motion on notice filed before him by the two political parties.
The judge adjourned the matter to April 23, 2015 for report of compliance.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega
The parties also prayed for an order of interim injunction directing Jonathan or any other persons or their agents to cause the removal of Jega except in compliance with Section 157(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
They further requested for an order of interim injunction restraining Jonathan or any other persons or their agents from tampering, and/or obstructing the INEC chair from discharging his function as he deems fit in compliance with the 1999 constitution (as amended) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The parties prayed for an order urging the president and his agents to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The defendants in the matter are the attorney-general of the federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).
President Jonathan, at his last presidential media chat, had said that he had the powers to remove Jega, because he who appoints could sack.
INEC official at work.
The Ohaneze Youth Council had on Wednesday called for the immediate removal of Professor Attahiru Jega.
The group, which is the apex socio-political and cultural umbrella body of the youths of the Igbo people, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack Jega.
The youth organisation says it has no confidence in Jega’s ability to conduct free and fair elections on March 28 and April 11.
The group, which is the apex socio-political and cultural umbrella body of the youths of the Igbo people, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack Jega.
The youth organisation says it has no confidence in Jega’s ability to conduct free and fair elections on March 28 and April 11.
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