Ex-Gov. Nyako urges Supreme Court to reinstate him

The Supreme Court has fixed December 16 for judgment in the appeal filed by former Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako, against his impeachment.

He among others, wants the apex court to order his reinstatement to enable him complete his tenure after his impeachment was quashed by the Court of Appeal.

The court fixed the date for judgment on Thursday after listening to final arguments by lawyers representing parties in the appeal.

Arguing his client’s case, Uchema Nwokedi (SAN), who represented the appellant, urged to allow the appeal. He also urged the court to consider the damage done to the Constitution by the lawmakers in their desperate resolve to impeach his client.

Nwokedi prayed the court to ensure that such impunity never repeats itself.

According to him, the only way to compensate his client for the damage done to him was to reinstate him as governor of the State.

Mahmud Magaji (SAN), who represented the Adamawa State House of Assembly urged the court to refuse the appeal for lacking in merit.

Chris Uche [SAN] – for the Adamawa State Government – and Oyetola Atoyebi (for the Nigerian Police Force) argued in similar manner against the appeal.

A seven-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, heard the appeal.

A five-man panel of the Court of Appeal, Adamawa division, led by Justice Jumai Sankey had in a unanimous judgment, voided Nyako’s impeachment, describing it reckless and constituted gross abuse of legislative powers.

The court however refused to reinstate Nyako, prompting him to appeal to the Supreme Court.