Daily Independent Online.
*
Thursday, June 17, 2004.
State
of emergency: Obasanjo challenges Gani, others
By Rotimi Fadeyi,
Senior
Correspondent, Abuja
President Olusegun
Obasanjo on Wednesday challenged two separate suits filed by National Chairman
of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) and a
coalition of human rights organisations over the declaration of a state of
emergency in Plateau State.
In the preliminary
objection filed by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) on behalf of Obasanjo, he contended
that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, saying
the plaintiffs in the case lacked the locus standi to maintain the suit.
When the matter
came up before Justice Stephen Jonah Adah on Wednesday, Babalola contended that
the originating summons filed by all the plaintiffs failed to comply with the
mandatory conditions precedent to the issuance of valid originating summons.
However, the case
could not go on, as there was no proof of service of the preliminary objection
on the plaintiffs in the case.
Besides Fawehinmi,
other plaintiffs in the matter are the National General Secretary of NCP, Mr.
Femi Aborishade, National Deputy Chairman, North Central,NCP, Mr. Jerry Gopye.
Those mentioned, as
plaintiffs in the other suit by a coalition of human rights groups are Chima
Ubani of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti of
Centre for Constitutional Governance, Ledum Mitee of the Movement for the
Survival of Ogoni People, Olawale Fapohunda of the Electoral Reform Network, Mr. Edeatan Ojo of the Media Rights
Agenda (MRA) and 10 others.
Joined with
Obasanjo as co-defendants are Attorney General of the Federation and Minister
of Justice; the Sole Administrator of Plateau State, Major Gen Chris.
