Court declines power to hear Sanusi’s suspension suit




Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain a suit filed by Mallam Lamido Sanusi challenging his suspension as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, by President Goodluck Jonathan on February 20.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole held in his judgment that the matter was labour and employment -related and therefore ordered it to be transferred to the National Industrial Court.

The judge also said the plaintiff was at liberty to challenge his decision at the Court of Appeal.

He added that he deliberately refrained from deciding the case on its merit so as not to make any prejudicial pronouncements before the matter gets to the Industrial Court.

The judge held that, in line with Sections 251(1) and 254(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the proper court, where Sanusi ought to have instituted the suit, was the NIC.

Sanusi had through his counsel, Mr. Kola Awodein (SAN), sued Jonathan and the Attorney-General of the Federation and the police, asking the court to declare his suspension by the President null and void.

But the court upheld the objection of the President and the AGF to the suit, declaring that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit.

Sanusi’s tenure as the CBN governor expires on June 1.

 

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