APC drags lawmaker to court over defection to NNPP in Kogi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has filed a lawsuit against the lawmaker representing Ajaokuta federal constituency at the national assembly, Hon. Lawal Muhammadu Idirisu, over his defection from APC to New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).
They also demanded the refunds of all salaries, emoluments, constituency allowances, other allowances paid to him from 13th day of May, 2022 until the date he defected.
The suit was filed by the Plaintiff through its Counsel, Enokela Sunday Obeh, at the Federal High Court Abuja Division on the 21st day of December, 2022.
The Plaintiff upon its application prayed the court among others for the following reliefs namely, a declaration that the 4th Defendant Hon. Lawal Muhammadu Idirisu herein shall be deemed to have lost his seat in the House of Representatives having defected from the Plaintiff (All Progressives Congress – APC) on whose platform he was elected into the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to the 1st Defendant (New Nigerian Peoples Party – NNPP) another political party on whose platform the 4th Defendant (Hon. Lawal Muhammadu Idirisu) was not elected having regards to the provisions of Section 68 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
The APC is also seeking for an order of mandatory injunction compelling the 3rd Defendant (INEC) to accept from the Plaintiff (APC) the name of its candidate for the purpose of filling the vacancy created by the defection of the 4th Defendant (Hon. Lawal Muhammadu Idirisu) from the House of Representatives by reason of becoming a member of the 1st Defendant (New Nigerian Peoples Party – NNPP), a different political party before the expiration of the term for which he was elected into office and sponsorship of the plaintiff and to present certificate of return to the said candidate.
Similarly, the APC is also seeking an order directing the 4th Defendant (Hon. Lawal Muhammadu Idirisu) to refund to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria all the salaries, emoluments, constituency allowances and other allowances paid to him from 13th day of May, 2022 until the date of vacating his House of Representatives seat as may be directed by the Order of Court in the circumstances of the suit.
The plaintiff is equally seeking an Order directing the Nigeria Police Force to arrest the 4th Defendant (Hon. Lawal Muhammadu Idirisu) forthwith and prosecute him for illegally attending and/or participating in the House of Representatives business activities and continue to parade himself as the Honourable Member representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.
