The purported sitting last Thursday of 17 members of Edo State House of Assembly outside the Assembly premises is a nullity, according to Abeny Mohammed (SAN). Mohammed, a human rights lawyer, in a chat with The Guardian in Ilorin, cited the Supreme Court decision in the case of Olakoju, describing any legislative assembly outside the premises of the House as null and void. Mohammed canvassed restraints from any form of violence ahead, during and after the Edo State governorship polls slated for September 19 this year, noting that people’s will remains the hallmark of a viable democracy. Another lawyer, Goddy Uwazurike, said Edo was about to experience what Ekiti State suffered during the last governorship election, adding: “Yesterday (Thursday) was the first tentative step. “In the meantime, police that cannot give protection from the kidnappers in Edo, barricaded the House of Assembly.

Source: The Guardian August 08, 2020 03:11 UTC