The Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Taiwo Taiwo has withdrawn from the suit filed by the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, and its spokesperson Ikenga Ugochinyere against Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila challenging the ongoing moves by the lawmakers to summon him before the House Adhoc Committee led by Henry Nwawuba.
Justice Taiwo said he is withdrawing on the ground that his image and reputation has been maligned since the hearing of the matter and as such referred the matter back to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
The House had directed the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to arrest Ugochinyere, over allegations made against the House about $10 million bribe. Ugochinyere had alleged that the lawmakers collected $10m bribe to hurriedly deliberate upon and pass the controversial Control of Infectious Disease Bill 2020 that was pending before it.
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Justice Taiwo who ordered that status quo should be maintained in the matter after the House summoned the CUPP spokesperson, reminded the defendants including Femi Gbajabiamila, the House of Representatives, Clerk of the National Assembly and the Inspector-General of Police of the settled position of the law, that once a matter is in court parties must stay further action pending the determination of the suit.
He said that the date for hearing on the matter will be related to the counsels once the Chief Judge of the Federal High court reassigns the case.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
