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The Senate has resolved to write to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, over the issue of separation of powers.
The upper house took the decision following a point of Order raised by Senator Godswill Akpabio, who spoke on reports that a Federal High Court had granted an injunction against the National Assembly, seeking to stop further action on the Electoral Act 2018.
The Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Ahmed Mohammed Wednesday ordered the legislature to stop taking any further actions on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 which seeks to change the order of elections for the 2019 general elections.
The injunction follows a suit by the Accord Party which is challenging the powers of the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act in order to reorder the election.
The restraining order takes effect immediate and will be in force till March 17, when the court sits for further action.
On Thursday, the Senate said it is writing the CJN to ask him to inform him of the injunction and to caution all judges to ensure that they adhere and respect the doctrine of the separation of powers.
Speaking, Senate President, Bukola Saraki said: “I keep on reiterating that we must sustainabky build all these institutions. We will all leave these places and these positions someday, and this is why we must strengthen our institutions.
“We all are very clear on this issue that there are separation of powers. We have our responsibilities and the judiciary has its own. Therefore, everyone must work to fulfill the mandate of their responsibilities. Hence, we will liaise with the office of the CJN on this issue.
President Muhammadu Buhari had Tuesday, citing some constitutional issues, declined to assent to the bill by the National Assembly amid threat by some federal lawmakers to veto it.