Court bars NASS from Edo Assembly

MOVES by National Assembly to take over legislative duties of Edo State House of Assembly, following growing rifts among the state lawmakers, was yesterday halted by a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo in Abuja.
Justice Taiwo made the restraining order while ruling on an interlocutory application in the suit filed by Edo State Government against a directive on Gov. Godwin Obaseki by both chambers of NASS to issue fresh proclamation on the state legislature.
Explaining that the order was to restrain parties, particularly respondents from foisting any fait accompli on the court, Taiwo ordered parties to maintain status quo pending final determination of the substantive case.
Justice Taiwo further directed for an accelerated hearing of the suit, ordering respondents to file their responses to the main suit within seven days and plaintiff to file reply within five days.
It will be recalled that Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Francis Okiye, had filed an action against Clerk of National Assembly and the National Assembly of Federal Republic of Nigeria in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/815/2019 seeking to stop NASS from taking over any function or duties of Edo legslature.