TheCable

A federal high court in Port Harcourt has directed Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, not to issue a fresh proclamation letter to the state house of assembly.

On Tuesday, the senate had given the governor a week ultimatum to issue a fresh proclamation for the inauguration of the state house of assembly.

In reaction, Obaseki said he would not obey the senate’s directives, saying the red chamber had gone beyond its constitutional powers.

A misunderstanding between Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Obaseki had led to the factionalisation of the state assembly.

The members of the state legislature had approached the court to restrain the national assembly and law enforcement agents from taking over the house.

In its ruling, Adamu Mohammed, presiding judge, restrained the leadership of the national assembly from interfering or taking over the legislative functions of the state assembly.

The judge also granted an order restraining the inspector-general of police (IGP) and other security agencies from sealing up the assembly complex.

“The plaintiffs/applicants are granted an order of interim injunction, restraining the 1st-3rd Defendant/Respondents (Clerk of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives), their servant, agents, officers or privies from interfering or taking over the legislative functions of the Edo State House of Assembly pending the determination of the substantive suit,” the court order read.

“The Plaintiffs/Applicants are granted an order of interim injunction restraining the 6th Defendant/Respondent (the Governor of Edo State) from issuing any fresh proclamation for the holding of another first session for the Edo State House of Assembly pending the hearing and the determination of the substantive suit.”