A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has on Friday, ordered the House of Representatives to maintain status quo on the Control of Infectious Disease Bill 2020, which has passed second reading.
Justice Ifeoma Ojukwu went on to summon the Speaker of the House of Reps., Femi Gbajabiamila; Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, SAN, Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu, as well as the Clerk of the National Assembly, over the controversial Bill.
Former Kogi-West Senator, Dino Melaye, had last week, filed a suit against the National Assembly, over the consideration of the Bill which was sponsored by the Speaker.
Melaye filed the suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/463/2020, citing alleged breach of his right to freedom and life, before the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking the court to stop the passage of the Bill.
In a motion exparte dated May 13, 2020, the court stated: “An order of this honourable court is hereby made, mandating the Respondents to appear before this court, on May 20, 2020, to show cause why the application of this Applicant should not be granted.
“Should the Respondents fail to attend court on the date stated for the hearing on this matter, the reliefs sought exparte shall be granted.”