By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has discountenanced a restraining order requested by the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Godwin Emefiele against the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation AGF on his Presidential ambition.
The application files through his counsel, Mike Ozekhome SAN, Emefeli asked the court for an order of status quo ante bellum to be made against INEC and AGF so that he would not be made to resign from office until 30 days to the general election.
Arguing in an ex-parte application, yesterday, the CBN boss maintained that he is not a political appointee but a Public servant, adding section 84 (12) of the new Electoral Act 2022, got nothing on him.
Consequently, he prayed the court to invoke section 318 of the 1999 Constitution to bar the defendents from asking him to vacate office until 30 days to the February 2023 Presidential election.
Emefiele expressed apprehension that sale and submission of Presidential nomination form would expire on Wednesday and that unless the INEC and AGF are ordered to maintain status ante bellum as at May 5 when he filed the suit, he would be made to vacate office before his form would be accepted by the appropriate authority.
In the bench ruling, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed turned down the request for the order.
The Judge rather the CBN governor to put the defendants on notice and also serve court processes on the defendants.
Adjourning, Justice Mohammed ordered the defendants to appear before him on May 12 and show cause on why the request should not be granted.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
