Following the dismissal of their application for the review of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the 16 sacked Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the Plateau State House of Assembly have taken their case to the Supreme Court.
Describing the Appeal Court’s decision as a temporary setback, the lawmakers expressed their determination to pursue legal recourse in the matter.
Speaking to journalists, Hon Dalyop Fom, the former member representing Jos South constituency in the assembly, revealed that their counsel had taken steps to seek a review, including applying to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and writing to the President of the Court of Appeal. However, the case was unexpectedly slated for review before a three-man panel instead of the requested five-man panel.
Fom explained, “Our counsel disagreed and refused to make any presentation to the panel because it was not properly constituted as it was supposed to be a five-man panel and not a three-man panel.”
Despite the insistence of the three-man panel to proceed, the lawmakers’ counsel stood firm, arguing that until a five-man panel was constituted as per the law, no presentation could be made. Consequently, the case was dismissed by the judges, who accused the counsel of wasting their time.
Fom clarified that their application for review had not been considered and was not dismissed on merit, contrary to media reports. Additionally, the court imposed a fine of N8 million on each of the 16 lawmakers, totaling N128 million. However, they have now turned to the Supreme Court for further adjudication.
He emphasized that there is an existing order restraining the Speaker of the state House of Assembly from swearing in the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers with Certificates of Return, pending the determination of the case by the court.
The lawmakers initially sought a review of the Court of Appeal’s judgment in light of a subsequent Supreme Court ruling, hoping for a possible reversal of the decision that led to their ousting.