High Court Sacks 11 Council Chairmen In Nasarawa state

Rabiu Omaku

A High court 4 sitting in Lafia has dismissed the application filed by eleven (11) Local Government chairmen and councils respectively seeking for elongation of tenure barely 24 hours to the expiration of their tenure.

Justice James Abundaga dismissed the application for lack of merit,While delivering his Judgement averred that it was illegal for any tenure elongation by the court.

“I will not soiled my hands into the muddy waters of politics,They chairmen and the Assembly should settle their differences”.

The court revealed that the chairmen of Keffi and Keana Local Government would vacate office on the 12/11/2016 following their victory at the Election Petition Tribunal .

Justice Abundaga described the selection of Transitional Management Committee chairman as unconstitutional in any democratic setting,He also queried the rationale behind handing over to Director Personnel Management.

Justice James averred that the extant Local Government Law is 2009 law which stipulates two years for elective council officials

Counsel to the embattled chairmen Bar.Mary Onyeka described the Judgement as immaterial,When asked whether the eleven council chairmen would appealed ,Mary decline comment.

There was jubilation in the court premises over the dismissal of  the application filed by the affected chairmen,Alh.Awo from Doma Local Government expressed optimism over the dismissal of the application filed by chairmen challenging the House of Assembly.

” Hoping that this will address percentage payment to workers at the third tier of Government,Poverty was in the driver’s seat.

Hon Mohammed Sani in an interview commended the court for the dismissal of the case.