Court defers judgement on Ayade’s defection to April 7

A Federal High Court in Abuja has deferred judgement on the defection suit against Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo on Wednesday deferred the ruling to April 7 to enable lawyers address the court on the legal issues raised by the Court of Appeal judgement on Ebonyi governor’s defection.

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The Court of Appeal in Enugu had on April 1 held that the constitution did not make provision for the removal of a governor, deputy or president and vice president who defects to another political party.

A high court had earlier ordered 20 lawmakers, comprising 18 members of the Cross River State House of Assembly and two members of the House of Representatives, to vacate their seats following their defection from the PDP to the APC alongside the governor.

However, the lawmakers appealed the judgement through a notice of appeal brought under seven grounds.

In the appeal by their counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the lawmakers asked the Court of Appeal in Abuja to set aside the judgement of the high court, saying the court lacked the powers to sack a defeating governor.