Etim Ekpimah, Uyo
The
Federal High Court, Court 2, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded N10,000 cost
against the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Onofiok Luke; and
the Department of State Service.
The
presiding judge, Justice Fatun Riman, awarded the costs against Luke and the
DSS who are respondents in the case bordering on infringement on the
fundamental human rights of Dr. David Udo on Monday.
His
lordship, who had listened to arguments from counsels of both parties, awarded
the costs against the respondents over the delay in filing their cases.
Counsel
to the applicant, Mr. Inibehe Effiong,
thanked the judge for the matter, adding that the award signaled Riman’s view
to discourage further delay on the matter.
“His
lordship graciously awarded N5,000 against the Speaker of the House of Assembly,
Mr. Onofiok Luke, in favour of the applicant.
“It
also awarded the cost of N5,000 against the Department of State Services and
Mr. Courage Noguese, who is the security detail attached to the Speaker.
“We
thank the court for that,” Effiong said.
According
to Effiong, they filed their address in point of law in reaction to the
counter-affidavit and the written address to the main application.
He
said they were surprised that the respondents still appeared in court and
complained that since the plaintiff had reacted to the objection they raised on
the suit, they be given time to also file a rejoinder on point of law.
A
fundamental right matter has been filed against the Speaker of the House of
Assembly, the Police and the DSS.
“We
have filed our response contradicting completely what they had said,” Effiong
added.
Lead
counsel to the Speaker, Mr. Ekemini Udim, said Luke was innocent of what he has
been accused of, noting that they have filed their response to that effect.
He
said, “Today in court, we have moved our motion for the counter affidavit and
the written address to be deemed as properly filed.
“The
court graciously granted that application. So, we are on course on our defence
of the good name of the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr.
Onofiok Luke.”
The
has been adjourned to the 1st of December, 2017 for hearing.
Source:
Punch
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