A case filed by a group of seven lawyers seeking an order of the court to compel the National Judicial Council (NJC)to reinstate suspended president of the appeal court Justice Ayo Salami has suffered defeat at the Federal High Court Abuja.
In his ruling on the preliminary objection filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke and President GoodLuck Jonathan, Justice Adamu Bello held that the group has not shown any locus standi since they have not been able to prove to the court how the suspension of Justice Salami is injurious to them.
He further held that based on the lack of locus, the court also lack jurisdiction to hear the suit.
The legal practitioners sought an order of the court to compel the NJC to implement the recommendation of its three man-committee headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mariam Aloma-Muktar that the suspended president of the Appeal Court, Justice Ayo Salami be reinstated.
The group also asked the court to declare that in line with the provisions of section 153 of the 1999 constitution President Good Luck Jonathan cannot exercise disciplinary powers over court of appeal justices and in particular Justice Ayo Salami.
Counsel to the plaintiffs however said the group will study the judgment before deciding on the next cause of action.
