Constituents drag Saraki, Senate to court over Omo-Agege’s suspension

Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Nigerian Senate have been dragged to an Abuja Federal High court by people of Delta Central senatorial district of Delta State over the suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

In the matter brought to the court by Chief Alfred Okaka, Mr. Chris Agaga, Mr. Kingsley Okrikpo, Harrison Akpojarho, Manny Edu, Lyndon Ugbome, Moses Adegor and Godspower Emowhomuere, the people, who claim to be Urhobo, are seeking for an order to stop the lawmakers from denying the ethnic group representation at the Senate by suspending Omo-Agege.

Among other prayers, they asked the court to hold that “the rights of the people of Delta Central senatorial district to an unfettered representation in the legislative business of the Senate by Senator Omo-Agege constitutionally guaranteed for a tenure of four years cannot be abridged, diminuted, suspended, abrogated and or vitiated, except as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution (as amended.)”.

Aside Saraki and the Senate, other defendants in the suit are Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Clerk of the Senate, the Department of State Services, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector- General of Police and Senator Omo-Agege.

The suit was in response to Omo-Agege suspension by the senate on Thursday over his claim that the Senate amended the 2010 Electoral Amendment to frustrate President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid. He was also suspended for dragging the Senate before a Federal High Court.

Omo-Agege had also on Thursday reacted to his suspension in a statement by his Senior Legislative Aide, Prince Efe Duku.

READ ALSO: Senator Ovie Omo-Agege gets 6-month suspension

He had said, “As already well-known by many, the issues acted upon today by the Senate are pending before a court of competent jurisdiction and therefore, subjudice. It is the Senate’s view that the issues be withdrawn from court for an amicable resolution to hold. Until a resolution is reached, it is better to respect the court processes by not commenting on them.

“Also, we note that as part of the resolution of the issues, the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki ruled that the Parliamentary Support Group, PSG, (Senate) for President Muhammadu Buhari should be disbanded. This should be a matter for the over 50 members of PSG to decide, possibly with President Buhari on whose behalf they openly work as Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic.

“In the circumstance, we appeal for calm and assure that as a fervent believer in the rule of law, our senator is in positive spirit. He remains an ardent supporter of Mr. President…”

 

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