An Igbo lawyer, Marcel Dim-Udebuani has asked the federal high court sitting in Abuja to declare null and void all the appointments President Muhammadu Buhari had so far made.
As stated by The Cable, the lawyer stated that the president violated the federal character principle enshrined in the Nigerian constitution by allegedly favouring a section of the country in his appointments.
A suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/732/2015, with the chairman of Federal Character Commission (FCC) as 2nd defendant in the matter was filed on Tuesday, September 1, at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, Vanguard reports.
The suit is asking the court to determine the constitutionality of President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointments so far. The lawyer also alleged that the president is being vindictive to the South-East by not appointing them into key positions.
Dim-Udebuani maintains that it is only the South-East that has not been represented whereas the other zones in the country have representations in various capacities.
In the originating summons, the plaintiff, asked the court to determine, “Whether the total of the twenty-five (25) appointments made so far by the 1st defendant (Buhari), is not against the spirit of Section 14 (3) of 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Whether the exclusion of South-East geo-political zone in the twenty-five (25) appointments made so far by the 1st defendant is unconstitutional and divisive among others.”
Marcel is praying the court to compel President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse all the 25 major appointments made so far by the president for being in breach of the constitution.
He also wants the court to nullify all the appointments made so far.
Dim-Udebuani, anchored his prayers on the grounds, “that the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a country for all the citizens, South-East inclusive.
“That the 2nd defendant is a creation of constitution of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“That the entire five (5) states that make up South-East geo-political zone have no appointment yet.”
The plaintiff stated the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-West and South-South have had representations in the appointments made so far.
As stated by Marcel, he decided to drag Buhari to court because as a lawyer, he had sworn an oath to defend and protect the nation’s constitution.
Dim-Udebuani maintains that it is only the Southeast that has not been represented whereas the other zones in the country have representations in various capacities. The lawyer prayed the court to immediately reverse the appointments.
The matter is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing.