Four lawmakers drag Taraba State House of Assembly to court over alleged unlawful expulsion

Four members of the Taraba State House of Assembly have filed a lawsuit against the Taraba State House of Assembly, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for an alleged unlawful expulsion as members of the House and declaring their seats vacant.

The lawmakers are Abel Peter Diah of Mbamnga constituency, Mark Useni of Takum Two constituency, Gambo Maikudi of Bali One constituency, and Josiah John Aji of Wukari Two constituency.

The Taraba State House of Assembly on June 22 declared the seats of the four members vacant, following a resolution at plenary on the said day.

It was gathered that the action of the House followed a communication from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state querying the defection of the lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The affected lawmakers who felt their sack was unlawful and unconstitutional proceeded to the court to challenge the decision.

In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1191/2022, dated July 6, and filled on July 22, the plaintiffs are praying the court to declare as unconstitutional, the process and the decision of the Taraba State House of Assembly, in declaring their seat vacant.

Also mentioned as defendants in the suit are the Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly, PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, who are the 2nd to 4th defendants.

The Plaintiffs are seeking an order declaring that they remain members of the Taraba State House of Assembly, as well as lawmakers representing their various constituencies.

The Plaintiffs are also asking the court to stop INEC from conducting a bye-election to fill up the seats declared vacant by the Taraba State House of Assembly or taking any action whatsoever in that regard.

They are seeking for a joint sum of 1 Billion Naira as damages for unconstitutionally declaring their seats vacant, to be paid by the 1st to 3rd defendants in the suit.

Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja fixed hearing on the suit for December 15.