A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday rejected the request by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to stop his suspension by the Senate.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, in an ex-parter ruling on April 11, a copy of which The Nation sighted yesterday, declined the Senator’s prayer to order parties to maintain status quo by suspending all actions concerning the issues raised in the suit.
On getting wind of his impending suspension, Omo-Agege on April 3 filed the ex-parte application seeking among others,,an order that “all further proceedings against the plaintiff (the senator) in respect of the allegations referred to the 1st defendant’s (Senate’s) Committee for Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition” be halted pending the hearing and determination of his main suit.
He asked the court to order parties to the main suit earlier filed on March 26, 2018 “not to consider, act on or give effect to any recommendation, resolution or decision of the 1st respondent’s (Senate’s) committee for Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition”.
Listed as defendants are the Senate, its President, Bukola Saraki, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Omo-Agege’s lawyer, E.R. Emukpoeuo while moving the ex parte application, prayed the court to grant the order directing parties to maintain status quo.
But, in his ruling, Justice Dimgba said he could not grant such orders without hearing from the defendants “in the interest of maintaining the balance of power between the judicial and the legislative organs of government.”
Justice Dimgba ordered that the defendants be served with processes in the suit to enable them respond to issues raised in Omo-Agage’s application.
The judge siad: “It is hereby ordered as follows
“That in the interest of maintaining the balance of power between the judicial and the legislative organs of government, I am not minded to granting the reliefs sought for now without hearing from the defendants.
“That the defendants shall be put on notice to appear before me to explain why the interim preservatory order sought should not be granted.
“That this matter shall be accorded an accelerated hearing.”
Justice Dimgba adjourned to today for hearing.