From Godwin Tsa Abuja
LEGAL fireworks commenced today at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court in the suit challenging the alleged impeachment of Kogi State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Momoh Lawal.
Listed as defendants in the action brought by the speaker and his political platform, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are the five lawmakers who executed the impeachment, Umar Imam, Friday Sani, Lawi Ahmed, Bello Abdullahi and John Abah.
The nominal defendants include the attorney general of the federation, the inspector general of police, the director general of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba fixed the date after he granted the application of the plaintiffs for substituted service of the court processes on the five pro-impeachment lawmakers.
The judge gave the plaintiffs leave to serve the defendants through newspaper publications after it declined the prayer by counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), to effect the service through courier.
Justice Dimgba also abridged the time for appearance and filing of defence by the defendants to seven days.
Moving two ex-parte motions, Etiaba told the court that the five lawmakers had been evading service.
Lawal was reportedly impeached on February 16 along with other principal members of Kogi State House Assembly by five lawmakers under the alleged protection of law enforcement agents.
Although the National Assembly has taken over the duties of the state assembly, pro-impeachment lawmakers were said to be carrying on the business of the House .