Impeachment: Abuja Court Orders Ekiti Lawmakers To Maintain Status Quo

THE Federal High Court, Abuja Division yesterday ordered the All Progressive Congress (APC) members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly to pull the brakes on ongoing attempt to impeach Governor Ayo Fayose.

Justice Evoh Chukwu ordered the lawmakers to maintain the status quo and also summoned them to come and show cause why he should not declare their seat vacant and set aside all the actions taken so far with respect to the impeachment process against the embattled governor.

The case, which was filed by seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the House- Dele Opplugbemi Joseph; Ajibola Samuel Oyedele; Israel Olowo; Alex Ade Ojo; Adeyinka Adeloye; Adunnsuupe Olayinka; and Ayoka Fatunmbi- named ‎the Inspector General of Police, Speaker of the House, Dr. Adewale Omirin and 21 APC lawmakers as the ‎defendants.

Already, the plaintiffs have asked the court to set aside all actions and activities taken by the APC lawmakers.

The Judge held: “It is hereby ordered that the status quo ante bellum as at April 23, 2014 be maintained, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.‎”

The Judge also ‎ordered the plaintiffs to issue and serve the originating summons and all other processes in this suit on the defendants in Ekiti State, outside the jurisdiction of the court.

The Judge further ordered as follows:
*That leave is granted to the plaintiffs/applicants to serve the originating summons and all other processes in this suit on the 2nd-21st defendants by substituted means by advertising same in the newspaper.

*That the service of the Originating Summons and all other processes in this suit on the 2nd to 21st defendants are deemed as proper service.

*That on the application of plaintiffs/applicants’ counsel time is hereby abridged to seven (7) days within which the respondents are to file their processes i.e. counter affidavit and written address if any from the date of the publication in the newspaper.

He then adjourned the suit to May 4, this year‎ for hearing of the motion on notice.