Constitution Amendment Controversy!

Byline: Chioma Gabriel

When a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Okechukwu Okeke, ruled early in the week that the purported amendment to the 1999 Constitution remains null and void without the assent of the President, the upper legislative arm of the national assembly reacted immediately with a strong statement rejecting the ruling and consequently appealed against the decision of the court.

The presiding judge in his ruling had stated that until the amended constitution is presented to the President for his assent and approval, it is of none effect.

While disagreeing with the judgement, the upper legislative arm acknowledged however that it is within the jurisdiction of the court to reach the decision it did on the matter.

The spokesman of the senate, Mr. Ayogu Eze said in a statement that "as a law-abiding institution and one charged with the function of making laws for the good governance of the country, we shall appeal against the judgment."

Justice Okeke 's judgement was at the instance of a suit filed by the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN). The suit had challenged the refusal of the National Assembly and the …