Court Gives Verdict on Suit Seeking Disqualification Of Musawa as Tinubu's Minister
- Federal High Court, Abuja, has given its verdict on the suit seeking to reverse the ministerial appointment of Hannatu Musawa
- In his judgement, Justice James Omotosho said that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi (legal right) to institute the suit against Musawa
- The plaintiffs, in their affidavit said Musawa was mistakenly screened by the Senate and appointed as minister of minister of art, culture and creative economy
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Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering metro and government policy
FCT, Abuja - Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit seeking to reverse the appointment of Hannatu Musawa as minister of art, culture and creative economy.
The judge ruled that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi (legal right) to institute the suit.
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Justice Omotosho gave the ruling on Thursday, April 25 over Musawa's lack of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
Court dismisses suit seeking nullification of Musawa’s appointment
As reported by Daily Nigerian, he also held that even where the plaintiffs were vested with the legal right to file the matter, the suit, itself, lacked merit.
The Incorporated Trustees of Concerned Nigeria, Chief Dr Patrick Eholor and Thomas Marcus, the 1st to 3rd plaintiffs respectively, filed the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1198/23 on August, 30, 2023, before Justice Omotosho.
Eholor and Marcus sued President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Musawa as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.
They prayed the court to determine whether by provisions of Section 2(1) and (3) of the NYSC Act and Section 4(9) of the NYSC Bye-Laws (Revised 2011), Musawa, who was a corps member as at the time, was not prohibited from becoming a federal minister.
According to Peoples Gazette, the plaintiffs asked the court to determine “whether by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), whether the same qualification of a member of House of Representatives is not also the same qualification for the appointment 3rd defendant (Musawa) as a minister and whether same qualification is not mandatory for her to be a federal minister of Nigeria.”
Seek nullification of Musawa's ministerial appointment
Upon favourable resolution of the questions, the plaintiffs sought an order nullifying the initial recommendation, resolution, appointment and swearing in of Musawa as a minister.
According to their affidavit, Musawa was mistakenly screened by the Senate and appointed as a minister.
Seek N100 million damage against Musawa
The plaintiffs also prayed the court to make an order for payment of general damages in the sum of N100 million against all the defendants.
Musawa faces possible sack as minister
Legit.ng earlier reported that Musawa, who is currently doing her one-year youth service, is occupying the ministerial position in breach of the NYSC Act.
The NYSC director, press and public relations, Eddy Megwa, confirmed that Musawa had been serving for the past eight months in the FCT.
Speaking further, Megwa explained that it was against the NYSC Act for any corps member to pick up any government appointment until the one-year service was over.
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Source: Legit.ng
