By Danlami Nmodu
A Federal High Court in Sokoto has issued and order restraining the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission,Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission,ICPC,Inspector General of Police and the National Intelligence Agency, NIA from “arresting any officer of the plaintiff in the Ministries or departments in connection with execution or administration of the appropriation law as of Sokoto State” between from 2008 through 2015.
Justice RM Aikawa issued the order on Sokoto on Wednesday ,March 25 2015 grants in a suit filed by filed by Government of Sokoto state (plaintiff) against against EFCC,ICPC,IGP and NIA(respondents)
The Court ruled that “An order is hereby made restraining the 1st ,2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents and all their agents and privies from arresting any officer of the plaintiff in the Ministries or departments in connection with execution or administration of the appropriation law of Sokoto State 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,2013 ,2014 and 2015 in so far as they relate to appropriation disbursement and administration of monies appropriated or to be appropriated in execution or administration of the appropriation laws of Sokoto State for the years 2008,2009,201o,2011,2012,2013 ,2014 and 2015”
It ruled that “An order is hereby made that the parties shall maintain the status quo ante bellum in relation to that investigation or commencement or initiating investigation in relation to the appropriation, disbursement and administration of monies appropriated in execution or administration of the appropriation laws of Sokoto State Government for the year years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,2013 ,2014 and 2015 in so far as they relate to the government policies, decisions ,appropriation, disbursement and administration of monies appropriated by the House of Assembly of Sokoto State and signed into law by the Governor of Sokoto State.
Justice R M Aikawa also ruled that”the defendants /respondents are hereby directed to show cause why the order of interim injunction sought hereby by the plaintiff/Applicant should not be granted.”
The case was adjourned to 18th day of May, 2015 for the motion on notice and the originating summons.
This order came amid fears earlier expressed by the All Progressives Congress ,APC Spokesman ,Lai Mohammed that the presidency was planning to arrest officials in opposition states ahead of Saturday’s presidential elections.Also,the APC Campaign Council on Tuesday raised alarm that the federal government was planning to cause trouble in six states to sabotage the election .Sokoto was one of the states listed by the APC Campaign Council.
Read the full text of the court ruling below:
