Assembly Crisis: FHC Refutes Restraining Balarabe as Nasarawa Speaker

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

A Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Abuja, yesterday, refuted reports that it has restrained Mr. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, as speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

Hon Daniel Ogah Ogazi and other 12 members-elect have filed an ex-parte motion at the Abuja Federal High Court marked FHC/ABJ/CS/809/2023.

While sitting on the case yesterday, the presiding judge, Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu, said that the Abuja Federal High Court did not grant any order that restrained Balarabe and his Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kudu, as reported in some sections of the media.

Justice Egwuatu, therefore, emphasised on the need to maintain peace and order in Nasarawa State.

Meanwhile, the court was informed by Mr. Matthew Bukaar (SAN), who stood in for the speaker; the clerk and deputy clerk of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, and I. M. Dikko (SAN), who also stood for the deputy speaker and other members of the state assembly sued as defendants in the case that the state was peaceful and the legislative activities of Speaker Balarabe were peacefully going on for the good of the peace loving people of Nasarawa State.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the court sitting, Mr. M. I Zanwa, a lawyer, said that the state was peaceful and legislative activities were going on smoothly under the Speaker Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi.

Zanwa said: “The matter is simple, the governor has directed the clerk through proclamation to inaugurate the House and election was conducted by the clerk with all machinery: the clerk, the maze and the Ssrgeant-at-arm, including the date.

“The governor’s letter did not give venue and beside that, it is insignificant because the clerk has already sited security reasons. And by the way, we all know, I am a former lawmaker, Ministry for Local Government has been our alternative chamber all this while.” 

Justice Egwuatu, has adjourned the case to October 12, 2023.