Court orders inclusion of NASS in suit against Buhari
By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the inclusion of the National Assembly as a defendant in a suit by some southern leaders against President Muhammadu Buhari and three others over alleged discrimination in his appointments into key positions and application of externally obtained loans to infrastructure development.
In a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Okon Abang ordered the that National Assembly be joined as the fifth defendant in the suit
Justice Abang also ordered the plaintiffs to amend their processes to reflect the new party and ensure the service on the new defendant.
The ruling was on an application filed on October 2, 2020 by the plaintiffs, who, claimed among others, that the National Assembly is a necessary party to the suit because its “rights and responsibilities are affected by the questions raised for determination.”
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The judge, in another ruling, granted the request by the President (named as the first defendants and the Attorney General of the Federation (second defendant), for an extension of time to file their responses to the suit.
Justice Abang adjourned till January 28, 2021 for hearing.
Other defendants in the suit are the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
The plaintiffs, in the suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/595/2020, claimed that the Southern region of the country has been deliberately marginalized by the President Buhari-led government in its appointment and infrastructure distribution.