A Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, has 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 account for the 10 billion Naira allegedly spent by her on a private aircraft charter .
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
The condition were that the House has to publish in the National Assembly journal and the gazette of the Federal Government the resolution directing the probe of the minister.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in the judgment, held that until the conditions precedent are followed ,the National Assembly cannot issue summon on any public officer for the purpose of investigation.
However, the court ruled that in the instant case, the permission of the President was not needed before the Minister could appear before the House, because the allegation against the Minister was on unofficial use of public fund to charter private aircraft .
The court, however, 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.
