Ebun Francis || Following the ruling by an Abuja high court on Wednesday restraining the national assembly from taking further action on the election timetable amendment act, the Senate on Thursday resolved to write a letter to Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), to inform him of its position on the ruling.
Godswill Akpabio, the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West and Senate minority leader, while speaking on the floor of the Senate wondered if a court injunction could stop the national assembly from carrying out its constitutional functions.
Akpabio said, “The issue really is not the bill itself, it has to do with due process and parliamentary functions. I am worried about the situation of powers as enshrined in our constitution.”
“Can the court really rule an injunction, expatriate or otherwise, to stop the parliament from carrying out its constitutional duties? I have looked through the Nigerian constitution, and in my view, I don’t think it is right for the court to interfere in the affairs of the parliament, particularly when we are in the process of making legislation. We cannot be stopped by an injunction.
“But be that as it may, I believe strongly that we also do not have the power to arrest a court judgement while the proceedings are going on and because of separation of powers.”
After Akpabio’s submission, the upper house resolved to send a letter to the CJN over the matter.