You can’t declare Akpabio’s seat vacant, court tells Saraki

A high court in the federal capital territory (FCT) has asked Senate President Bukola Saraki not to declare the seat of Godswill Akpabio, former minority leader of the senate, vacant.

According to PUNCH, Othman Musa, a judge, gave the order on Wednesday and also directed Saraki not to impede Akpabio’s access to the senate chamber.

The judge also restrained Sarki from taking any action aimed at overreaching Akpabio’s privileges and rights as a senator pending the determination of the originating summons of the applicant.

Musa reportedly ordered that service of the originating summons and other processes be served on Saraki through either the clerk of the national assembly, clerk of the senate or staff of the national assembly.

The orders were made after an ex parte application by Akpabio’s lawyers, Chikaosolu Ojukwu and Ebere Ahanonu, seeking to stop alleged moves to declare the lawmaker’s seat vacant.

The suit has been adjourned till August 29 for hearing.

There have been reports on the plan to sack Akpabio from the senate following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Two days ago, Akapbio had said all defectors must lose their seats before he gets sacked from the upper legislative chamber.

In the last three weeks, 14 senators, including Saraki, have abandoned their party for other parties.