In a significant development in the Plateau State political landscape, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has demanded sanctions against justices of the Court of Appeal over their decision to sack several lawmakers. This call for action stems from a series of controversial legal decisions that have sparked debate about the role of the judiciary in the democratic process.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, in November 2023, ousted all 16 members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Plateau State House of Assembly. The ruling, which was based on pre-election matters, included alleged disobedience of a court order and a lack of political structure within the PDP.
Furthermore, The Nigeria Lawyer reported that the decision extended to four PDP members of the House of Representatives and two senators from Plateau State. The basis of these sackings, as stated by the Court of Appeal, was the PDP’s failure to comply with a Plateau State High Court order to conduct fresh congresses before the 2023 general elections.
The Supreme Court’s involvement added another layer to the saga. While the Supreme Court reinstated Caleb Mutfwang, one of the affected politicians, the decisions for the other lawmakers remained final, as parliamentary election petitions conclude at the Court of Appeal level. The Supreme Court’s panel, led by Inyang Okoro, expressed concerns about the repercussions of the Court of Appeal’s decisions, labeling them as “absolutely wrong” and responsible for causing widespread harm, as noted by Premium Times.
The heart of this issue lies in the Representatives’ demand for sanctions. The Minority Caucus, spearheaded by Mr. Kingsley, argued that the justices involved in these rulings should face serious reprimands. This sentiment was echoed in various reports, including those by Peoples Gazette. The Caucus stressed that such a measure would serve as a deterrent against similar future judicial actions, which they deem as unjust.
Kingsley lauded the Supreme Court for upholding the sanctity of the vote, as reported by Peoples Gazette, while simultaneously highlighting the contrast between the decisions of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
