Court Prevents NASS from summoning Petroleum Minister

A Federal High court in Abuja which was presided  by Justice Ahmed Mohammed on Wednesday stated that the summons by the House of Representatives on the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke to appear before the court to answer to based on the allegations some ten billion naira spent on a private aircraft charter

Justice Mohammed in his ruling nullified the invitation by the House on the ground that the conditions precedent in line with Section 88 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, appears to be breached by the lower chamber of the National Assembly in summoning the Minister.

The Court held it that the conditions were not followed accondenly that the House was to publish in the National Assembly journal and the gazette of the Federal Government, the resolution directing the probe of the Minister; noting that the procedure was not followed accordingly.

Justice Mohammed in his verdict stated that until the conditions precedent are followed, the National Assembly could not issue summons on any public officer for the purpose of investigation.

The court also ruled that in the instant case, the permission of the President was not needed before the Minister could appear before the National Assembly, because the allegation against the Minister was on unofficial use of public funds to hire a private aircraft. The court however advised any public officer to always honour invitations once the conditions precedent are followed because the National Assembly has powers to summon any public officer.