*Directs CBN Gov to put defendants on notice
Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, rejected an ex-parte application by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Godwin Emefiele, asking it to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice , Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), from disqualifying him from contesting the 2023 presidential election.
In the ex-parte application by his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Emefiele urged the court to grant an order of status quo ante bellum against INEC and AGF so that he would not be made to resign from office until 30 days to the general elections.
The CBN Governor also argued that since he is not a political appointee but a public servant, he could not be compelled to resign in line with section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
He also urged court to invoke section 318 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and stop INEC and AGF from asking him to vacate office until 30 days to the Presidential election.
The CBN Governor also named INEC and the AGF as the co-defendants to the suit.
But in his ruling on the ex-parte application, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, declined to grant the requests.
The Judge also directed Emefiele to put INEC and AGF on notice.
The court further directed the CBN Governor to serve INEC and the AGF with all the relevant court processes in the matter.
Justice Mohammed also ordered INEC and AGF to appear before him on Thursday and show cause why the request should not be granted.
