Eight lawmakers who were suspended from the Zamfara State House of Assembly have taken legal action by initiating proceedings at the Federal High Court. They are contesting the violation of their constitutional rights to freedom, human dignity, fair trial, and the seizure of their assets without proper legal procedures.
The lawsuit targets seven individuals, including the State’s Attorney General, the Commissioner for Justice, the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Moriki, the House Clerk, the State Commissioner of Police, and the Director of the Department of State Service (DSS).
Justice Aminu Bappa, the presiding Judge, approved the motion and rescheduled the hearing to April 29 to ensure that all respondents are properly served, following complaints from the registry about incomplete service.
After the court session, Ibrahim Ali, the legal representative for the eight suspended lawmakers, addressed the press and requested a hearing date to properly serve the remaining respondents. He alleged that the Speaker, in collaboration with the Nigerian Police, Department of State Service, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), is trying to apprehend and prosecute them.
The lawmakers claim that 17 members of the State Assembly forcefully entered the State House of Assembly and conducted a plenary session on February 22. This action led to the suspension of eight members during a plenary session by the State House of Assembly under the Speaker’s leadership, based on accusations of violating the law and the assembly’s constitution.