Counsel for the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barrister Ekemini Udim, has explained that the statement on the ruling of Hon. Justice Riman of the Federal High Court, Uyo, “is only but an interlocutory rulling on an application which was filed by Gabriel Toby in the wake of the resolution of the House. This has nothing to do with the substantive matter.”
“It would be recalled that few days after the resolution of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly declaring the seats of defecting Members vacant, the affected ex-Members approached the Federal High Court and prayed the court to set aside the resolution of the House. In the early hours of today, the court presided over by Hon. Justice F.O.Riman ruled in favour of one of the ex-members (Mr. Gabriel Toby). In so doing, the Judge has not decided on the substantive matter but is simply expressing his disaffection with the resolution of the House which he said was taken while some matters were pending in court.”
He said the “judgment on the substantive matter has been slated for the 13th day of May, 2019.”
Speaking further, Barrister Udim said “We have read from some social media platforms that the court has nullified the action of the House in respect of all the five affected ex-lawmakers. The information is false and misleading and should be discountenanced. The decision is only in respect of Gabriel Toby and as noted above, the substantive matter filed by the same Gabriel Toby is yet to be decided. Since the substantive matter is still in court and already slated for judgment we shall refrain from making any further statement on it so as not to prejudice the court. It is important to add that a Notice of Appeal has already been filed against the ruling of His Lordship.”
