A Federal High Court in Abuja today set aside the letter of invitation issued by the House of Representatives to the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, to appear before the House to provide explanations over allegations that she spent 10 billion Naira on a private aircraft charter.
In a judgement delivered by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, the court voided the invitation by the House on the ground that condition precedent in line with section 88 of the constitution were bridged by the lawmakers. According to the presiding judge, the House must publish the resolution directing the probe of the minister in the National Assembly journal and the gazette of the Federal Government before issuing a summon on any public officer for the purpose of investigation.
In a judgement delivered by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, the court voided the invitation by the House on the ground that condition precedent in line with section 88 of the constitution were bridged by the lawmakers. According to the presiding judge, the House must publish the resolution directing the probe of the minister in the National Assembly journal and the gazette of the Federal Government before issuing a summon on any public officer for the purpose of investigation.
The court also ruled that the permission of the President was not needed before the Minister could appear before the House as the allegation against the Minister was on unofficial use of public fund to charter private aircraft. The court also advised the minister or any public officer to always honour invitations once the conditions precedence are followed because the National Assembly has power to summon any public officer.
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