National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the Inspector General Police, Adamu Mohammed, have been barred from harassing or interfering in the legislative duties of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Justice M. Umar gave the order following a motion ex-parte, filed by Alhaji Yayaha Audu Omogbai, Clerk of the Assembly and the Edo State House of Assembly.
Defendants in the suit filed on June 28, 2019 are National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State and Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu.
Justice Umar ordered the defendants, their servants and agents, not to interfere, disrupt or obstruct the constitutional duties of members of the Edo House of Assembly.
He also barred the defendants from further publishing in any newspaper or other media, any inciting publications concerning the inauguration of the 7th Assembly of the Edo State House Assembly and the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker which took place on 17/6/2019 in the Edo State House of Assembly.”
According to the court document, “that an interim order of injunction is hereby granted restraining the defendants by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or privies from interfering with, obstructing or harassing, in any manner whatsoever, the plaintiffs in the performance of their constitutional duties as the Legislative Arm of the Edo State Government pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.
“That interim order of injunction is also granted restraining the defendants by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or privies from further committing any act aimed at disparaging the integrity of the legislative arm of the Edo State Government and/or destabilising the peace, order and good governance of Edo State in general, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.”
The case was adjourned to 9th October 2019.
Only 12 out 24 lawmakers in the Edo Assembly have been sworn-in.
The 12 other lawmakers-elect believed to have the backing of Oshiomhole have fled to Abuja since June 20th over alleged threat to life.
They are demanding proper inauguration of the Edo Assembly.
It was gathered the case was instituted over threat of invasion of the Assembly by the 13 lawmakers-elect under the cover of heavy security apparatus.
Meanwhile, the member-elect representing Akoko –Edo II, Hon Emmanuel Agbaje, has been sworn-in as a member of the assembly.
Agbaje was sworn-in yesterday when the Assembly convened at about 4.24pm by Speaker Frank Okiye who administered the oath of office.
Speaker Okiye explained that the House had to reconvene because of the compulsory retirement of a deputy Clerk of the house which would only become effective with confirmation from the house.
Agbaje, in a chat with newsmen, said he presented himself for swearing in based on the position of his constituents and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said, “I will say that there comes a time when you out personal interest and consider the general interest. I was elected to represent my people. For me, their interests come first. I may have some reservation that led to my earlier decision but having reviewed my position vis-à-vis the position of my constituency I have decided to tow the line of the masses of my constituency and come in for inauguration so that my people will be adequately represented. I was elected to serve and I didn’t bring myself here. Whatever their position is Imust follow what they want me to do.
“I believe my constituents will also appreciate that I listened to them and I will want to assure them that that confidence they reposed in me, I will not disappoint them”.