Lawyer sues Buhari over Kogi ministerial slot

Posted by admin Kogi, Latest Politics, State News Thursday, September 22nd, 2016

A lawyer, Daniel Makolo, has sued President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly failing to appoint a minister to represent Kogi in his cabinet.

Makolo said his suit – FHC\L\CS\44\2016, filed at the Federal High Court, Lokoja on Thursday – was pursuant to Order 34 Rule (1) and Order 5 Rule (1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009.

He faulted Buhari for failing to appoint a replacement for the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi, who was from the state.

Ocholi, his wife and son, died in an auto crash on Abuja-Kaduna Road on March 6.

Makolo, among other things, urged the court to order that the failure of Buhari to appoint a qualified indigene of Kogi as a Minister after Ocholi’s death was “wrongful, unlawful and unconstitutional.”

He said that failure to appoint a minister from Kogi “has denied the people of Kogi state representation at the statutory mandatory regular meetings held by the president with his vice and ministers”.

The lawyer asked the court to issue an order compelling the president to appoint a minister representing the people of Kogi.

Makolo also asked the court to declare every decision or resolution reached at statutory meeting(s) held as void to the extent of its effect on the life and property of the people of Kogi.

He further asked the court to void the resolution reached at subsequent meeting to be held by the president and his cabinet without a representative of Kogi People,

He also asked for an order compelling the president to respect and apply Section 14 (3) of the Constitution in all his appointments.

This, according to him, is inclusive of the heads of coercive forces of the sovereignty of Nigeria, the paramilitary agencies, and all arm-bearing institutions of Nigeria.

In addition, the applicant sought an order directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to initiate and carry out a corona inquest into the Sunday, March 6, death of Ocholi on Kaduna-Abuja road to uncover and make public the actual and remote causes of the accident.

Makolo said that he based his action on 14 grounds in the Motion on Notice, supported by a 24-paragraph affidavit.

He said that appointment of a minister to represent each of the 36 federating states was not optional but also the responsibility of the president.

“This is not an optional responsibility; it is mandatory which our beloved President has deliberately failed, neglected or refused to do in respect of Kogi State and her people.”

Joined in the suit were the President of the Senate and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

NAN

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