Skip to main content

Court to rule on senator’s alleged dual citizenship suit

By


A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed judgment for March 8, in a suit filed by five voters seeking the removal of the senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District in the upper chamber, Monsurat Sunmonu, over alleged dual citizenship.
The presiding judge, Justice E.S Chukwu will also on the same day rule on the preliminary objection filed by Sunmonu challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit
In the suit, the claimants are asking the court to remove Sunmonu from office for alleged voluntarily acquisition of the United Kingdom citizenship and also calling on the a Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) to withdraw her certificate of return and bar her from parading herself as a Senator.
The claimants are: Wahab Abiodun, Alhaji Bola Akinyemi, Chief Emmanuel Olajide, Chief Samuel Elegbede and Chief Thomas Ajao.
Joined in the suit, as defendants are the former speaker and the electoral commission.
Moving his preliminary objection, counsel to Sunmonu, who is the first defendant, Tola Oshobi said the matter is an election matter, which had already been decided in favour of the defendant by the election petition tribunal and the Appellate Court.
But counsel to the claimants, Chief Titus Ashaolu (SAN), countered that the matter was a constitutional issue requiring the court to interpret Sections 66 and 107 of the 1999 Constitution, which preclude anyone with dual citizenship from holding the office of a Senator.
Ashaolu said his clients were not concerned about whatever transpired at the March 28, 2015 National Assembly polls in Oyo Central but the legality of Sunmonu’s continued stay in office as a Senator, despite having sworn allegiance to the UK flag.
The counsel tendered six exhibits backed with five affidavits deposed to by the claimants, including a certified true copy of Sunmonu’s nomination forms wherein she allegedly affirmed her dual nationality.
However, Sunmonu’s counsel argued that since the APC Senator is a Nigerian by birth, the claims made by the claimants’ counsel only affected those who acquired another citizenship by naturalization.
After listening to both counsel, Justice Chukwu reserved judgment on the substantive suit and ruling on the preliminary objection challenging, among others, his jurisdiction to entertain the matter to March 8.

Comments

Post a Comment

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in the comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Gee.

Contacts us with happenings around you on geeblog9@gmail.com and for your free event placement.

Popular posts from this blog

THE AKWA IBOM STATE Government , HOTEL BOOKING LIMITED SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON WEB DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

By
Akwa Ibom State Government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hotel Booking Limited to train youths of the state on Web development and design. At the new Secretariat Annex, office of the Chairman, Foreign Direct Investment, Mr. Gabriel Ukpe, venue of the Ceremony, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Nse Udo Essien in company with other State Government Officials signed on behalf of the State Government while Hotel Booking Limited was led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company, Mr. Mark Essien. Speaking, Dr. Nse Essien said the gesture was in line with the five point agenda of the present administration geared towards engaging our youths positively, creating jobs and alleviating poverty in the state. According to the Commissioner, between 150 – 500 youths would be trained on web design and development using the Ibom e-library and remote locations. He said a platform would be created for intended participants. “The essence of the Memor...
Post a Comment
Read more

Do you know you can get up to 10,000,000 Collateral free loan from CBN, with an interest rate of 5% per annum for up to 7 years tenor?

By Author
How to access up to 10-million-naira collateral-free CBN loan for small businesses and individuals. The Central Bank of Nigeria is giving collateral-free loans of up to N10,000,000 (Ten million Naira) to small businesses in a scheme called; Agric-Business/Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS). INTRODUCTION The Scheme supports governments policy measures for the promotion of agricultural businesses, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as vehicles for sustainable economic development and employment generation. Objectives of the Scheme To improve access to affordable and sustainable finance by Agri-businesses, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Create employment opportunities in Nigeria. Boost the managerial capacity of agri-businesses and MSMEs to grow the enterprises into large corporate organizations in line with Federal The government’s agenda to develop the real sector and promote inclusive growth. Eligible sectors/businesses 1....
Post a Comment
Read more

OZUBULU MASSACRE: THE HIDDEN TRUTH REVEALED

By
Following different versions of false news peddled by the Nigerian media and most regrettably, respected individuals, to narrate the very unfortunate incident that happened at St Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, We, in our culture has dug out the details of this event and how it deteriorated to the August 6 massacre. Aloysius Ikegwuonu (Bishop), presently a drug baron in South Africa, was born in 1981 to the family of Chief Ikegwuonu, Amakwa Ozubulu. He grew up in a very poor home and often helped his mother who trades at Orie Akpu market, Off Ugwu Orie Bus Stop, Amakwa Ozubulu. 'Aloyee' as fondly called by his friends in his early youth stage, first came to limelight in 1999 when he became the senior prefect of Comprehensive Secondary School, C.S.S., (formerly College of Basic Studies, C.B.S.) Egbema Ozubulu; a school founded by Reverend Father Nwabaju Izuchi, a United States based Catholic priest. Right after his secondary school studies which he finished after his ...
Post a Comment
Read more