The High Court of Taraba state sitting in Jalingo yesterday granted an order of interim injunction restraining the speaker and the members of the Taraba State House of Assembly from acting on any letter written by the acting governor of the state.
The Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar is said to have written a letter to the state House of Assembly seeking the approval of certain persons to be appointed into the Taraba State Executive Council as commissioners.
The names of the commissioners pending approval as contained in the letter was admitted by the court as Exhibit F.
After hearing an application filed by the governor of the state, Danbaba Suntai, the presiding judge, Justice Ali Andenyangtso granted the order restraining the state House of Assembly from acting on it pending the determination of a suit on the matter.
Taraba State Acting Governor Alhaji Garba Umar had forwarded the names of six commissioner nominees to the state House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.
“Pursuance to Section 192 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all powers enabling me in that regard, I have the honour of forwarding herewith the list of nominees for appointment as commissioners/members State Executive Council for your consideration and confirmation” , Umar said.
Those nominated include; Barrister Musa Tende (Donga), Mathias Danazumi (Zing), Iliya Ali Lege (Ibi), Hajia Batulu K. Mohammed (Gashaka), Ate Sale Kundu (Wukari) and Sa’adu Shehu Ajuji (Gassol).
New Speaker, Josiah Sabo Kente, who read the letter to the House, subsequently ordered that the commissioner nominees appear before the House for screening today (Tuesday) after members unanimously affirmed their nomination.
Assembly Defies Court Order
Taraba State House of Assembly on Tuesday screened six persons nominated to be commissioners by the state deputy governor Alhaji Garba Umar.
The move came barely 24 hours after Governor Danmbaba Suntai obtained an order of the State High Court restraining the law makers from screening the commissionership nominees.
However, brushing aside the court order, the law makers led by newly-appointed Speaker Josiah Kente screened Musa Tende, Mathias Danazumi, Iliya Ali Legs and Ate Sale Kundu.
In addition, the law makers screened Hajiya Batulu Mohammed, and Sa’adu Shehu Atuji.
Speaker Kente told reporters that he was not aware of any order restraining the Assembly from confirming the commissioner nominees.
