Trouble not over in Benue as court bars new speaker, 4 others from conducting sitting

- The court in Maiduguri ordered the speaker, Titus Uba, not to conduct any sitting of lawmakers at the Benue state House of Assembly

- The court also barred 4 principal officers of the Assembly from carrying out any sitting

- The judge said the order is aimed at averting any danger that could occur in the process

A Makurdi high court, on Monday, August 13, restrained the new speaker of the Benue House of Assembly (BNHA), Titus Uba, and four others from conducting any sittings.

The court, presided by Justice Theresa Igoche, also restrained four other principal officers of the Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court gave the restraining order while ruling on an ex- parte motion filed by the impeached speaker of the House, Terkimbi Ikyange, seeking to restrain his successor from occupying the seat.

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Igoche, while ruling on the motion, also restrained the Assembly officers from entering its complex or occupying their offices.

The judge agreed with the argument of Ikyange’s counsel, Mamman Osuman (SAN), that opening the Assembly to sittings before the resolution of the matter could cause a breach of the peace.

“The order is necessary to avert any danger that may be caused, and to avoid any breach of the peace,” she declared.

The report said 22 members of the Assembly had, on July 24, impeached Ikyande and all other presiding officers, citing highhandedness.

They then elected Uba’s team to succeed them.

However, a drama played out when Ikyange, along with the sacked principals officers, sat on July 30, and commenced impeachment moves against Governor Samuel Ortom.

Ikyange’s team, at the sitting, also suspended 15 members belonging to Uba’s group.

Ikyange also rejected his impeachment and argued that the right procedure was not followed. He described his sack as an act of illegality.

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He then filed an ex-parte motion praying the court to restrain the new speaker and the other principal officers from parading themselves as officers of the Assembly.

NAIJ.com earlier reported that Governor Samuel Ortom threatened to institute a N10 billion suit against Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for alleged defamation of his character and libel.

Ortom, in a letter through his lawyers to the APC chairman, referred to various interviews and media briefings in which Oshiomhole allegedly attempted to bring his name into disrepute and shame.

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Source: Naija.ng