Justice Minister opposes PDP’s move to join Emefiele’s suit

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has opposed the motion brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the Central Bank of Nigeria governor’s suit over his 2023 presidential ambition.

The CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele has dragged the Federal government, CBN and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court seeking to contest for election while in office.

Meanwhile, the AGF on Thursday before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja, opposed a motion seeking to join two lawyers; John Aikpokpo-Martins and Olakunle Edun, on behalf of themselves and the Save Nigeria Our Fatherland.

Counsel to Emefiele, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and INEC’s Counsel, T.M. Inuwa, SAN, didn’t however, oppose the two applications.

The Attorney General was represented by Oladipe Opeseyi, SAN in an argument that lasted for two hours, but wasn’t ruled.

Earlier on Monday, the Central Bank Governor tested the position of law when he approached the Court through his lawyer seeking interpretation to determine if he could contest presidential election while in office.

He had sought an order of the court, restraining the Federal Government from removing him from office over his presidential ambition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.

He also prayed the court to stop the INEC from taking any action against him in the bid to contest in the presidential primary by virtue of his office.

The CBN governor made the prayers in an ex-parte motion dated and filed on May 9 by Ozekhome, seeking an order of maintenance of status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

But in his ruling, Justice Mohammed did not grant the motion.