African Media Roundtable Initiatives (AMRI) a leading media advocacy network for good leadership has asked the Federal High Court, Abuja to declare all actions taken, leading to the appointment of the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Arch Amos Olatunde Ojo as illegal, null and void and of no consequence.
The African Media Roundtable Initiatives in an originating summon filed before His Lordship, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja is asking the trial court to determine whether the press statement issued by the Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, Engr. Ahmed Kadi Amshi purportedly retiring Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori as Clerk of National Assembly can override the Resolution 02809 of the National Assembly Service staff regulation 2019 and section 6 of the National Assembly Service Commission acts 2014.
The group is asking the court to declare the actions arising from the press statement by the Ahmed Amshi, including the retirement and appointment of Acting Clerk of National Assembly as illegal, invalid and unconstitutional among other prayers.
It will be recalled that the erstwhile clerk of national assembly, Sani-Omolori has following the directive of the Commission faced compulsory retirement and Arc Ojo appointed in acting capacity.
The suite scheduled for hearing on the 24th September, 2020 will determine whether the current clerk was duly and legally appointed
The group says the appointment clearly offends section 6 of the National Assembly Service Commission Act, 2014 and in violation of Regulation 02809 of the National Assembly Service Commission Staff Regulation ,2019
Recall that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila had purportedly in a letter entitled: ‘Reforwarding of Memoradum on the Review of Conditions of Service for the National Assembly Service,’ dated June 3, 2020 with Ref. No: NASS/SPK/ADM/VOL.1/520 and addressed to the Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, and acknowledged the same day, had demanded that the Reps respect the resolution of the 8th Assembly.
The letter read in part: ‘’I am directed by the entire leadership of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the receipt of your letter on the above dated 1st of June 2020 and have deliberated on it.’’ ‘’I am further directed to inform you that the entire leadership of the House of Representatives cannot rescind the 8th Assembly resolution on the retirement age of the National Assembly staff. Therefore, the House of Representatives maintained the position of the 8th Assembly as contained in the Conditions of Service jointly passed by that Assembly.’’
The Speaker in controversial circumstances was said to have denied the issuance of the letter on the ground that it was signed by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Sanusi Garba Rikiji.
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