Politics

For not having a minister from Kogi, Lawyer sues Buhari

Published

8 years ago

September 22, 2016

Daniel Makolo, a lawyer, on Thursday sued President Muhammadu Buhari for not appointing anybody from Kogi State in his cabinet.

In his suit, FHC\L\CS\44\2016 at the Federal High Court, Lokoja, in pursuant to Order 34 Rule (1) and Order 5 Rule (1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009, Makolo questioned why there was no representative from Kogi in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting since March.

According to Makolo, President Buhari’s refusal to appoint a minister from Kogi was “wrongful, unlawful and unconstitutional, an attempt to and has denied the people of Kogi State representation at the statutory mandatory regular meetings held by the president with his vice and ministers”.

He therefore prayed the court to issue an Order of Mandamus ordering President Buhari to do the needful and appoint a minister from Kogi State.

He added that the court should announce that every decision or resolution reached at statutory meeting(s) so far held as void to the extent of its effect on the life and property of the people of Kogi.

He also asked the court to annul any resolution that will be reached at subsequent meeting by President Buhari and his cabinet if there is no representative from Kogi.

He as well prayed the court to also issue an order of mandamus mandating Buhari to respect and apply Section 14 (3) of the constitution in all his appointments.

He said, “This is not an optional responsibility; it is mandatory which our beloved President has deliberately failed, neglected or refused to do in respect of Kogi State and her people.”

Joined with President Buhari in the suit were the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Makolo decried that the death of James Ocholi, a minister from the state who died on March 6, 2016 was yet to be investigated, and sought an order directing the AGF to initiate and investigate the death of Ocholi.

Recall that late Ocholi (SAN), Minister of State for Labour and Employment from Kogi State, his wife and son, died in an auto crash on Abuja-Kaduna Road on March 6. And since his death, Kogi State has no cabinet member.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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