Court Asked to Order Arrest Warrant Against NILDS DG for Shunning House Summons

Legislative lawyers have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the House of Representatives to issue an arrest warrant against Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman, Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, for failing to honour a summons.

The Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners filed the suit after Suleiman allegedly contested the APC governorship primary in Kwara State without resigning his appointment at NILDS, a federal agency under the National Assembly.

The group wants the court to order the Speaker and Yusuf Galambi, Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Library, Research and Documentation, to invoke sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution to issue a warrant for Suleiman’s arrest.

Suleiman failed to appear before the House committee investigating the issue on June 18, prompting the legal action.

The plaintiffs are also seeking a declaration that the House’s powers under sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution include the authority to compel attendance and compliance with lawful summons.

They asked the court to order strict compliance with the Constitution and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act concerning persons who refuse to appear after being summoned.

Sources: Daily Post