Court didn’t halt consideration of Infectious Diseases Bill -Reps

The House of Representatives on Sunday dismissed media reports that the consideration of the controversial Infectious Diseases Bill has been halted by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Chairman, House Committee on Media, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, who made the denial in a statement, clarified that the court didn’t issue an order stopping the consideration and passage of the bill, but rather ruled that the respondents in the suit filed by Senator Dino Melaye must appear in court to show cause why the reliefs sought by the applicant shouldn’t be granted.

Rep. Kalu declared that the House has been dismayed by the erroneous and malicious misrepresentation of the decision the court’s ruling as contained in reports by certain print and online media outfits, claiming that the House has been ordered to suspend the ongoing process of considering the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020.

While the House encourages the public and all media outfits to verify and refer to the certified true copy of the court’s order in all further social commentary or report on the subject matter, it has become necessary to set the record straight.

“The truth of the matter is that although the applicant, by way of a motion ex-parte, sought a court order suspending the consideration of the bill by the House, the court in its wisdom and in the interest of justice, and fair hearing, declined to grant the reliefs sought by the applicant in order to enable the respondents in the case to appear before it and enter a defence.

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“It is unfortunate that the purport of the interim order was wrongly reported.

“The House therefore, wishes to put the order of the court in proper perspective and state that the act of legislation is a sacred and constitutional responsibility which should not be subjected to flimsy or superficial reportage in the interest of our democracy.

“While the respondents await official service of processes in the above mentioned suit as directed by the court, the House reiterates that as a creation of the constitution, it will continue to perform its lawful mandate without jeopardizing its healthy deference to the judicial system and the process of adjudication,” the statement stated.