The House of Representatives reportedly claimed on Monday that the court presided over by Justice Ahmed Mohammed had restrained it from proceeding with the planned investigation of the minister and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over the aircraft lease allegation.
On Tuesday, Justice Mohammed expressed displeasure about the claim credited to the House of Representatives. He said his court never granted any order stopping Alison-Madueke’sprobe by the lower legislative chamber.
The judge said he was worried by the confusing reports in the media, which was a clear misrepresentation of the proceedings in court. He said he woke up to calls inquiring if he actually stopped the investigation.
Plaintiffs’ lawyer, Etigwe Uwa (SAN), said he was also surprised about the reports. He said he equally got calls and had to do a statement to some media houses to correct the wrong information.
Lawyer to the National Assembly (1st defendant), Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), said he knew something was wrong with the way the media reports came out.
He said the suspicion that there something was wrong was supported by the fact that the court’s ruling, on which the media reports were based, was delivered on April 14 but was only published to coincide with when the minister was expected to appear before the lawmakers.
Maikyau, who apologised to the court on behalf of his client, said he believed if such order was made, it would have been reported before now.
Ruling, Justice Mohammed held that since the confusion emanated from the House of Representatives, he will adjourn the matter to enable the House, who was not represented, to come and clear the air on the reports.
“I have seen the press release in the media said to be released by the House of Representatives that this court has ordered the stop of the investigation of the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
“As far as I am concerned, and I am the judge handling this matter, no such order was made,” Justice Mohammed said.
Source: PMNews
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