Federal High Court dismisses suit by states Attorney Generals against federal government

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has dismissed a suit by Attorneys General of the 36 States Governments against the Federal Government.

The Judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo made the order while delivering judgment on a suit by the Attorneys General of the 36 States governments against the Federal Government’s move to deduct $418m from States’ funds to settle debts owed consultants engaged by the States and Local Governments in relation to the Paris Club refunds.

By the suit, the plaintiffs sought an order to restrain President Muhammadu Buhari and others from effecting the planned deduction from States’ funds to settle the debt owed consultants.

Justice Ekwo held that the Plaintiff had not shown enough evidence to accord them the locus standi to institute the action.

The court held that the contention of the Plaintiff that it was not party to the judgment debt did not hold waters because the Nigerian Governors Forum and the Association of Local Governments were parties in the suit.

The judge further held that the action of the plaintiff amounted to an abuse of court process and consequently dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.