Jibrin withdraws suit challenging suspension, files fresh charge for N1b damages

Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday struck out the suit filed by the former chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin,‎ challenging his suspension from the House.

This followed Jibrin’s application, dated October 11, seeking to discontinue the matter filed through his lawyer, Chukwuma Nwachukwu.

Nwachukwu prayed the court, when the matter came up, to discontinue with the hearing of the case.

Kalu Onuorah, representing the House, and 13 other defendants in the matter, did not oppose the application of discontinuance of the matter.

He, however, asked for a cost N200, 000 on the ground that the defendants had filed processes and had put in a lot in the matter.

Justice Tsoho, in a short ruling, struck out the matter and declined to award cost.

Meanwhile, Jibrin has filed a fresh suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja asking it‎ to award the sum of N1 billion against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and the Clerk of the House as punitive and general damages for his suspension from the floor of the House.

The House had suspended the lawmaker from Kano State, who is at the centre of the unfolding budget padding scandal, for 180 legislative days.

By a motion recommended by House Ethics Committee Chairman, Nicholas Ossai, and adopted by the whole House, Jibrin would also not be able to hold any position of responsibility for the span of the current National Assembly.

The embattled legislator had on August 9, approached the court, seeking an order to restrain the House from any attempt to suspend him.

The suit was filed before Justice Okon Abang during the court vacation period that lasted for about two months.

However, upon resumption, the matter was re-assigned to Justice Tsoho and was fixed for yesterday for mention.