Court stops Saraki from declaring Akpabio’s seat vacant

An FCT High Court has restrained Senate President Bukola Saraki from
declaring the seat of former Minority Leader of the Senate, Godswill
Akpabio vacant.

Justice Othman Musa on Wednesday also ordered Saraki not to impede
Senator Akpabio's access to the Senate building or taking any action
aimed at "overreaching his privileges and rights as a Senator pending
the determination of the originating Summons of the applicant."

Justice Musa ordered service of the court papers on Saraki through the
Clerk of the National Assembly, Clerk of the Senate or any other Clerk
or reasonable staff of the National Assembly at the assembly complex.

These orders were made after an ex parte application by Akpabio's
lawyers, Chikaosolu Ojukwu and Ebere Ahanonu seeking to stop moves to
declare his seat vacant following his defection from the opposition
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress
(APC).

The suit has been adjourned to August 29 for further hearing.