A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Johnson Esezoobo, has filed a suit challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s proposal to buy vehicles for former presidents and others.
The lawyer said it was a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution to buy such vehicles at a cost of N400 million.According to him, it is “unhealthy for national development, unpatriotic and greedy” for the former leaders to accept such vehicles.
Joined in the suit are the National Assembly and the Attorney General of the Federation.
The suit, which was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, is praying for an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the Federal Government and its agents from purchasing any vehicle for the former leaders.
The plaintiff’s originating summon was brought pursuant to order 3, rule 6 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009, Section 251 of the Constitution.
Esezoobo is seeking: “A declaration that the National Assembly has no legislative power to make any law on any matter outside the items specified in part 1 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution.
“To purchase vehicles for ex-presidents and their deputies would amount to enacting corrupt practices and abuse of power into law, contrary to Section 15(5) of the Constitution.”
The lawyer contended that ex-leaders are not entitled to vehicles purchased with funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other fund of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Esezoobo said it would amount to bad governance for a nation in an economic recession to make such proposal.
He urged the Federal Government to address the challenges posed by insecurity, poor electricity and declining infrastructure.
The matter has been assigned to Justice John Tsoho, but no date has been fixed for the hearing.
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