The House of Representatives, on Tuesday resolved to probe the invasion the Federal High Court, Abuja by personnel of the Department of State Service (DSS) to re-arrest the convener of #RevolutionNow Protest, Mr. Omoyele Sowore.
It would be recalled that last Friday, December 6, operatives of the DSS stormed the court to re-arrset Sowore, who along with Mr. Olawale Bakare, is tried for alleged treasonable felony.
Although the DSS has denied invading the court to apprehend the defendant, the lawmakers unanimously condemned the act describing it as “an affront to the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers.”
Moving a motion for investigation, the minority leader, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu canvassed for adherence and respect to the concept of separation of powers as enshrined in the laws of Nigeria.
He said if the invasion was not checked and offenders punished, it might be the turn of the national assembly someday.
Reading the motion, Elumelu said: “The House notes with dismay, the exhibition of thuggery, brute force, lawlessness, contempt and disregard for the rule of law by yet to be identified persons within the precinct of the Federal high court, Abuja on the 6th day of December, 2019.
“Further notes that the videos emerging in public domain show these unidentified persons trying to bundle Omoleye Sowore and his co-accused Olawale Bakare away from the courtroom, while Sowore’s supporters were resisting them, which is an abuse to the sanctity of the courtroom
“The Department of State Services has denied through their spokesman Peter Afunanya that its personnel were never involved in the incident.
“Concerned further that section 4, 5 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees the separation of powers and the independence of every arm of government.
“A situation where one arm is seen to be overpowering another in the course of dispensing her duties, will definitely spell doom for the separation of powers as enshrined in the Constitution.
“Worried that the actions of these unidentified persons disrupted judicial proceedings on the 6th day of December 2019 and made the presiding judge to abandon her duty post because of safety concerns, this is a complete desecration of the temple of justice and such an action should be completely discouraged.
“Worried further that if this action is not properly put to check, the national assembly may one day be invaded and the relevant security agencies will claim not knowing who the offenders are.
“Aware that the invasion of the Federal high court Abuja runs contrary to the avowed assurances of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
“Further aware that physically assaulting Mr. Omoleye Sowore and his co-defendant Olawale Bakare by the yet to be identified persons inside the court room is the highest act of sacrilege against the judicial arm of government and a complete disrespect to the rule of law,” said Elumelu.
Adopting the motion, the House mandated its committees on national security and intelligence, judiciary and human rights respectively to investigate the event and report back within two weeks.
