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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The federal high court sitting in Yenagoa has issued an interim injunction, barring the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the eight Local Government Council Areas in Bayelsa State from accessing the treasury and engaging in financial transactions of the Local Government Councils.
The court also restrained the Bayelsa State Government and the eight Local Government Councils from making payments to the Caretaker Committee Chairmen and Supervisory councillors, including salaries, wages, allowances, or emoluments.
This order was handed down by the presiding judge of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa Division, Hon. Justice Isa Dashen, pending hearing and determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction and originating summon filed before the court.
The substantive suit filed by Mr Okala Azibola, the State chairman of People’s Redemption Party (PRP), through his counsel Amos Godfrey Atim, a human rights and constitutional lawyer, seeks a declaration that the Bayelsa State Government and House of Assembly lack legal authority to screen and appoint Caretaker Committee Chairmen without a democratic election, citing Section 7, subsection 1 of the 1999 Constitution and section 1 of the State’s Local Government Law.
The suit further demands a perpetual injunction against the Caretaker chairmen and supervisory councillors from presenting themselves as the legitimate authorities in the various Local Government Areas.
They request the court to order the reimbursement of all salaries and allowances received by the caretaker officials from the treasuries of the Local Government Council Areas due to their allegedly unconstitutional and illegal appointments.
Okala through his counsel is also seeking a perpetual injunction against the Bayelsa State Government and House of Assembly, preventing them from screening, appointing, or recognizing individuals who are not democratically elected or selected as chairmen or supervisory councillors in the eight Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.
