Posted by From George Oji in Abuja on
An Abuja Federal High Court has said it will on October 31 commence hearing on the protest filed by Minister of the Federal Territory Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, challenging the resolution of the House of Representatives banning him and others from holding public office over their alleged roles in the botched management contract of the Nigeria Telecommunications, Limited (NITEL).
An Abuja Federal High Court has said it will on October 31 commence hearing on the protest filed by Minister of the Federal Territory Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, challenging the resolution of the House of Representatives banning him and others from holding public office over their alleged roles in the botched management contract of the Nigeria Telecommunications, Limited (NITEL).
The presiding trial judge, Mrs. Anuli Chikere said she would definitely commence hearing on the matter after several postponements occasioned by the unreadiness of the House to commence defense of the case.
The postponement became necessary following the application by counsel to the House, Mr. Ahmed Obande pleading ill health.
Anuli had on May 24 granted leave to the minister to commence the judicial review of the ban. She said the leave was to act as stay of further actions by the House on the matter. She had also granted a similar leave to Chief Johnson Asinugo, a one-time board member of NITEL, who was affected by the ban.
Asinugo's case comes up tomorrow.
Anuli had after granting Rufai leave to challenge the ban directed him to also serve the House all the relevant documents about the matter. She gave 10-day grace within which the House would prepare for trial.
She had cause to adjourn the matter yesterday when at the last adjourned date the House was unable to file its defense of the matter.