Kogi govt. sues NASS, AGF over House of Assembly take over

The Reps based their decision on Section 11 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that the National Assembly can take over the functions of any state assembly that is overcome by crisis.

The Kogi State Government has sued the National Assembly and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami over the decision of the House of Representatives to take over the legislative functions of the state House of Assembly.

The House of Reps took the decision on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, following the crisis that rocked the Kogi state assembly for over a month.

The Reps based their decision on Section 11 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that the National Assembly can take over the functions of any state assembly that is overcome by crisis.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) however disagreed with the move by the lawmakers.

In the suit filed under Order 3 Rule 5 of the Supreme Court Rules, the Kogi state government claims “There is no security report by the Governor of Kogi State, the police or any security agency in Nigeria that the disagreement among members of the Kogi State House of Assembly caused insecurity and danger to public safety in the state.

“At all times material to the passage of the resolution of the National Assembly to take over the Kogi State House of Assembly, Kogi State was and is calm and peaceful as citizens go about their lawful business.”

The state government also wants “A declaration that the resolution of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, which purportedly took over the legislative functions of the Kogi State House of Assembly, is passed in breach of Section 11(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),”  Punch reports.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Abubakar Malami and House Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila were locked in an argument over the Kogi state House of Assembly take over during a hearing on the issue.