Eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly who were suspended have taken legal action against the speaker, Bilyaminu Moriki, the state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Abdulaziz Sani (SAN), for violating their constitutional rights to liberty, dignity of human person, and fair hearing. The Clerk of the State Assembly, Mahmoud Mohammed, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Commissioner of Police Zamfara State Command, Mohammed Dalijan, and the Department of State Service (DSS) are also named in the lawsuit.
According to the lawmakers’ counsel, Ibrahim Alli, his clients claimed that the speaker, in conjunction with the police, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), are attempting to arrest and prosecute them on the grounds that 17 members of the State Assembly had sat for a plenary session on February 22, 2024, and for breaking into the Zamfara State House of Assembly.
The case was scheduled for hearing at the Federal High Court on Monday, but there were complaints from the registry that some respondents, such as the police, the Director of the DSS, and others, had not yet been served. The counsel to the eight suspended state lawmakers, Ibrahim Alli, then requested a date for the matter to be heard, in order for them to serve the other respondents.
The Presiding judge, Justice Aminu Bappa, granted the motion and adjourned the case to April 29, 2024.