Court restrains Benue Speaker, principal officers from parading themselves

BENUE State High Court sitting in Makurdi on Monday restrained the new speaker, Titus Uba and other principal officers of the house from carrying out any functions of the assembly.

The court presided over by Justice Theresa Igoche also restrained the new house from entering and sitting in the state assembly complex.

Principal officers of the house joined in the suit are the deputy speaker Hon. Johnson Ahubi, the majority leader, Avine Agbom, deputy majority leader, Sule Audu and Chief Whip Kester Kyenge and the clerk of the house, Dr Torese Agena.

Justice Igoche who gave the order on motion ex-parte brought by the impeached speaker, Terkibir Ikyange, said that the order was made in the overall interest of justice.

According to her, ‘i have looked at paragraphs 22-34 of the affidavit in support and paragraphs 5-13 of the affidavit of urgency.’

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“This court takes judicial notice of the order of interim injunction made against the plaintiffs/applicants in suit No. MHC/259/18.

“It is similar to the relief being sought here. It is my view that it is necessary for the purpose of averting any danger that may be caused and to avoid any breach of the peace.

“That this application be granted so that the members of the Benue State House of Assembly will not sit in the 5th plaintiffs/applicants complex until the motion on Notice is heard and determined.

“This order is made in the overall interest of justice,” Justice Igoche said.

It would be recalled that the new speaker last Wednesday took possession of the assembly complex after the withdrawal of policemen from the complex.