Reps Minority Caucus Calls for Sanctions Against Appeal Court Justices in Plateau Case

• Minority Caucus urges sanctions on Appeal Court justices for ousting Plateau lawmakers, citing jurisdictional concerns and miscarriage of justice
• Chinda Kingsley calls for reprimand as a deterrent, emphasizing the need to uphold judicial integrity and prevent future deviations

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives is urging sanctions on Appeal Court justices for the removal of Plateau lawmakers affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The appellate court, the final authority on National and state houses of assembly elections, ousted all PDP lawmakers, including two senators, five House of Representatives members, and 16 State Assembly members. The court cited the PDP’s failure to conduct proper congresses, as mandated by a high court, as the grounds for removal.

However, the Supreme Court, in a judgment that overturned the removal of Governor Caleb Mutfwang in a similar context, declared that the appellate court lacked jurisdiction on the matter.

In response to the ensuing controversy, Chinda Kingsley, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, released a statement on Tuesday, advocating for reprimanding the justices who presided over the cases at the appellate court. He emphasized the need for this action to serve as a deterrent to other judges considering similar paths in the future.

While acknowledging that the decisions cannot be appealed despite causing a significant miscarriage of justice, Kingsley stressed the importance of holding the justices accountable. The call for sanctions aims to uphold judicial integrity and discourage future deviations from established legal processes.

Plateau: Fate of Ousted PDP Lawmakers Sealed by Appellate Court Decision

Lawyers have asserted that the future of the dismissed lawmakers affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is irreversibly determined by the recent Court of Appeal judgment. This conclusion persists despite their sentiments towards the Supreme Court’s endorsement of Caleb Mutfwang as the state governor.

The Supreme Court’s ruling, which reinstated Governor Mutfwang after the appellate court nullified his election due to the PDP’s failure to conduct proper congresses as mandated by a high court, has significant implications.

Previously, the Court of Appeal had ousted all PDP lawmakers from the state, including two senators, five House of Representatives members, and 16 State Assembly members, citing the same grounds.