Court grants order to arrest ministers over Ngwuta's allegations

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an order of mandamus seeking the immediate arrest of Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

According to a report by Guardian Newspaper, Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted the order of mandamus, which was sought by the Human Rights Foundation International, following Justices Inyang Okoro and Sylvester N. Ngwuta's petition to ex-Chief Justice, Mahmud Mohammed.

The applicant, who also sought the sack of the Minister of Transportation alongside the Minister for Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, was granted the prayers.

The court order is to compel the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to “perform their statutory obligations” by immediately arresting and prosecuting the two ministers.

According to the report, a copy of the enrolled order made on December 1, 2016 specifically called for the disengagement of the ministers pending when they were cleared by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Though the plaintiff further asked for an order of mandamus under the reviewed Administrative Action/Inaction Procedure, to first seek and obtain the leave of court through an ex-parte application to properly commence the suit, the matter has been slated for mention on December 15, 2016.