PDP senators drag DSS, AGF, police to court over alleged plot to impeach Saraki

– PDP senators have filed a law suit against the attornery general of the federation

– Other defendants in the suit are DSS and the inspector general of the Nigerian Police

– The senators are suing the defendant over an alleged plot to impeach Senate President Bukola Saraki

Some senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a lawsuit against the the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police and the Department State Security (DSS).

The lawsuit filed before Abuja Federal High Court is accusing the three defendants of alleged plot to sack the leadership of the Senate.

The Sun reports that the lawmakers in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/872/2018 have asked the court to restrain them from aiding the forceful removal or impeachment of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

Others listed as defendants are Senator Ahmed Lawal (Senate Leader), Senator Bala Ibn Nallah (Deputy Senate Leader), Senator Emma Buacha (Deputy Minority Leader), Clerk of the Senate, Deputy Clerk of the Senate, the Senate, the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President.

The plaintiffs are senators Rafiu Adebayo (Kwara South) and Isa Misau (Bauchi Central).

In a motion on notice filed by Mahmoud Magaji, the plaintiffs are praying for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 4th to 11th defendants, jointly and severally either by themselves, their agents, servants or privies, assigns however so called from unlawfully removing the 2nd defendant as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The plaintiffs are also seeking for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 9th to 10th defendants from unlawfully interfering with the lawful legislative duties of the 2nd defendant as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, until the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

“An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 10th to 11th defendants from harassing, hounding intimidating, arresting or detaining the 2nd defendant in respect of the lawful exercise of his duties pursuant to Section 50(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as attended), until the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

More so, the plaintiffs want the court to make an order directing the parties in the suit to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

In the substantive suit, the plaintiffs want the court to determine among others: “Whether in view of the provisions of Section 50(1) (a) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the I999, the President of the Senate who defected to another party as a result of division in his former party, can be made to vacate his office other than in accordance with the provisions of Section 50(2) of the Constitution?

“Whether by a combined reading of Section 50(1)(a) and (2) of the Constitution and Order 3 Rule 8 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015 (as amended), the President of the Senate can be compelled to vacate his office on the ground that he is not a member of the party with majority ot senators in the Senate?

“Whether by a combined reading of Section 50(2) (a) of the Constitution and Order 3, Rule 8 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015 (as amended) the President of the Senate can be said to have vacated his office by virtue of Section 50(2)(a) of the Constitution when he has not ceased to be a member of the Senate?

“Whether the president of the Senate can be said to have vacated his office as President at the Senate by virtue of Section 50(2)(b) of the Constitution when the 8th Senate of which he is the President has not been dissolved?

Upon the determination of the questions, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the President of the Senate cannot be made to vacate his office other than in accordance with the provisions of Section 50(2) of the Constitution.

“A declaration that Saraki cannot be compelled to vacate his office on the ground that he is not a member of the party with majority of Senators in the Senate.”

TRACK NEWS earlier reported that the All Progressives Congress has denied claims by the Peoples Democratic Party that it was planning to arrest Senate president, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, just as it said both principal officers are not above the law.

APC said the planned arrest of the Senate principal officers was a ploy to further weaken the opposition.