House Minority Caucus Calls for Sanctions Against Judges in Plateau State Judgments
The Minority caucus of the House of Representatives has called for the imposition of sanctions against judges involved in delivering controversial judgments that led to the removal of several former lawmakers from Plateau State.
In a statement issued by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) representing Rivers State, the caucus urged for appropriate disciplinary measures to be taken against all justices involved in the rulings.
Mr. Chinda emphasized the need for serious reprimand of the justices responsible for the judgments to serve as a deterrent to other judges who might consider similar actions in the future.
The controversy stems from the removal of PDP legislators in Plateau State, both at the national and state levels, following decisions by the Court of Appeal. The Court based its judgments on the alleged failure of the PDP to comply with a directive from the Plateau State High Court to conduct fresh congresses before conducting primary elections for the 2023 general elections.
Consequently, all PDP members elected to the Plateau State House of Assembly and the National Assembly were dismissed. Caleb Mutfwang was also affected, but the Supreme Court later reversed his dismissal in a recent judgment.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling reinstating Mr. Mutfwang, the affected lawmakers cannot appeal the cases further, as parliamentary election petitions conclude at the Court of Appeal.
Mr. Chinda emphasized that imposing sanctions would help prevent similar injustices from occurring in the future. He commended the Supreme Court for its decisions, which he believes have vindicated their earlier stance.
In addition to advocating for sanctions, Mr. Chinda congratulated opposition governors who emerged victorious in their Supreme Court cases.
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