The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, presided over by Hon. Justice Phoebe Ayuba, has postponed the hearing on the allegations of contempt brought by a group identified as the Ekere Pya Ogoni Initiative (EPOI) against the Federal Government till July 19, 2023.
In the contempt brought by their Attorney, F.D. Biiragbara, the incorporated trustees of EPOI sought the court to issue Form 48 to the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Minister of Environment, the Minister of State for Environment, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The group is seeking for a judicial review in form of an order for mandamus, to show why committal should not be made against the Federal Government and the CBN.
The Federal High Court issued an order directing or compelling the first and second respondents jointly or severally to disclose, release, or make available to the applicants the information in their respective letters dated November 23, 2022, and December 12, 2022, which EPOI had obtained on February 15, 2023.
The charge reads in part: “That an order is made directing the first and second respondents and even the applicants to maintain the status quo ante bellum and not to tamper with the subject matter in this suit before the hearing and determination of this suit.
“That an order is made suspending the planned flag-off of the subject until the hearing and determination of this suit, more so that the court is ready to give an accelerated hearing in this matter.”
