Kidnapped LG chairman’s wife, daughter released Defection: Mark, Tambuwal agree to maintain status quo

Wife of the chairman of Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hajiya Hasiya Adaviriku and her two-year-old daughter, who were Kidnapped by unknown gunmen have been released.

Hajiya Hasiya and her daughter were abducted on January 26, 2014, at their home in Kuroko area of the local government.

A statement by her husband, Salihu Adaviriku, said no ransom was paid for their release. He commended security agents for their efforts in securing the state and called on the public to report suspicious movements to relevant authorities. The Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal yesterday pledged before a Federal High Court in Abuja not to take any action to undermine the court over the defection of 79 lawmakers.

The defected lawmakers from both the Senate and House are challenging plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Assembly leadership to declare their seats vacant following their move to the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC).

Kenneth Ikonne and Alex Marama, counsels to Mark and Tambuwal respectively made an undertaking after counsel to the defecting lawmakers, Magaji Mahmud (SAN) maintained that there were moves by the leadership of the National Assembly to declare their seats vacant.

Magaji had contended that section 122(2) of the Evidence Act empowered the judge to take judicial notice of proceedings in the National Assembly. He directed the judge’s attention to attempt by Senator Ita Enang to move for the declaration of their seats vacant on February 11.

Earlier, counsel to the PDP Joe Gadzama (SAN) told the court that the suit by the lawmakers is speculative citing section 68 (1) (g) of the constitution.

However, citing Supreme Court decision in Goni versus FEDECO, 1979, Mahmud argued that what is required to prove a division in the party is an evidence of crisis, adding that the suit by former PDP chairman Bamanga Tukur against Kawu Baraje earlier decided by Justice Chukwu Evo is such evidence because one of the reliefs in the suit is to be recognised as the authentic executive.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed has adjourned the suit to March 26 for judgment.

PIC: FELIX ONIGBINDE From left, Director of Planning Research and Statistics, Ministry of Communication, Adeleke Emmanuel; President, Society for the Promotion of International Business, Dr. Bolere Ketebu; Chief Entrepreneur Officer SMEDAN, Abdulkadir and Chief Responsibility Officer of PAN-Ecosco Solutions, Barrister Babatunde Bamigboye, during the ‘Pan-Economic Solution for SMEs meeting’ in Abuja yesterday.