LAWYER DRAGS BUHARI TO COURT OVER EXCLUSION OF SOUTH-EAST GEO-POLITICAL ZONE IN HIS APPOINTMENTS

A legal practitioner, Mr. ‎Dim-Udebuani Marcel, Tuesday, dragged President Muhammadu Buhari before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, accusing him of violating the Federal Character principle as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, through the appointments he has made so far.

‎The plaintiff, in his suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/732/2015, joined the Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC) as 2nd defendant in the matter.

‎In the originating summons, the plaintiff, urged the court to among other things, determine, “Whether the total of the twenty-five (25) appointments made so far by the 1st defendant (Buhari), is not against the spirit of Section 14 (3) of 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

As well as, “Whether the exclusion of South-East geo-political zone in the twenty-five (25) appointments made so far by the 1st defendant is unconstitutional and divisive among others.

He is praying the court for an order compelling President Buhari to reverse the appointments so far made to observe and comply with the principle of Federal Character as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“An order of this court compelling the 2nd defendant (FCC) to invoke paragraph 8 (1) (C) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Likewise, “An order of court declaring all the appointments so far made null and void for violation of the principle of Federal Character enshrined in our constitution aforesaid.”

The plaintiff in an affidavit he deposed in support of the suit, averred: “That the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a country for all the citizens, South-East inclusive.

“That the 2nd defendant is a creation of constitution of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“That the entire five (5) States that make up South-East geo-political zone has no appointment yet”.

He told the court that the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-West and South-South have had representations in the appointments made so far.

The plaintiff said he decided to invoke the original jurisdiction of the court against Buhari considering the fact that he had as a lawyer, swore an oath to defend and protect the nation’s constitution.

He contended that the suit bother on constitutional breach, insisting that the appointments by President Buhari was “highly lopsided”.

The plaintiff argued that it is in the best interest of justice and promotion of rule of law that the lopsided appointments be reversed by the court.

Meantime, the matter is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing.

Vanguard