A lawsuit has been filed against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Mrs Hannatu Musawa.
OsunDailyNG understands that the legal suit was filed by the Incorporated Trustee of Concerned Nigeria, Chief (Dr) Patrick Eholor, and Thomas Markus.
The plaintiffs want the court to nullify Mrs. Musawa’s appointment as minister, claiming that her current status as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member contravenes the provisions of the NYSC Act and By-laws.
The lawyer representing the plaintiffs, Ihenesekhien Samuel, said: “The appointment of Mrs Musawa is a violation of the provisions of the NYSC Act and the Bye-Laws. It is our belief that her position as a corps member disqualifies her from holding the office of a Federal Minister.”
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja, questions whether by the provisions of section 2(1) and (3) of the NYSC Act and section 4(9) of the NYSC Bye-Laws (Revised 2011), Mrs. Musawa, as a current NYSC corps member, is not prohibited from becoming a Federal Minister.
The plaintiffs are also challenging the constitutional qualifications required for appointment as a Federal Minister.
The plaintiffs, in addition to the nullification of Mrs Musawa’s appointment and swearing-in, are seeking an injunction to set aside all official actions she may have carried out in her capacity as Minister.
They are also demanding general damages of ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira) against all the defendants and an additional ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira) for the cost of litigation.
The plaintiffs warned that if the defendants do not respond within thirty days after the service of the summons, they will request the judge to make any orders he deems just and expedient.
OsunDailyNG reports that the legal action is expected to have significant implications on the interpretation of the NYSC Act and Bylaws, as well as the constitutional qualifications for ministerial appointments in Nigeria.
