A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, refused to stop the Attorney General of the Federation, from preferring criminal charges and the Inspector General of Police, from prosecuting those behind the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Order 2015.
Senator Gilbert Nnaji, representing Enugu-East Senatorial District had applied for a restraining order against both the Police IG and the Attorney General, restraining them from taking further steps on the alleged forgery.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole however refused the application, ordering the plaintiff to put the respondents on notice to enable them appear in court on August 4.
The Senate Standing Order which was used to secure the emergence of Senators Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively were allegedly forged.
Justice Kolawole said he could not issue the restraining order on the strength of an ex-parte application, stressing that doing so would amount to granting the principal relief that is contained in the substantive suit before the court.
He said there was need to afford the IGP and the AGF the opportunity to join issues with the plaintiff with regard to the subject matter before the court.
Moreso, the court rejected plea by the plaintiff that the suit be okayed for accelerated hearing.
Justice Kolawole held that the court was bereft of the power to abridge the 30 days period within which the respondents are entitled to enter their briefs of argument. He said that such prayer could only be granted with the consent of all parties in the case.
Consequently, he directed the service of all the relevant court processes on the respondents to compel their attendance in court on August 4.
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