Federal High Court Orders House of Representatives to Halt Probe Against PDP Caucus Leaders

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the House of Representatives, led by its Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, to stop investigating leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus over their statements on the presidential election appeal at the Supreme Court and the Kogi State governorship election. The court held that the probe was unconstitutional, violating the rights of the PDP caucus leaders to freedom of expression and association.

Key Takeaways:

The court ruled that the statements issued by the PDP caucus leaders were made in their personal capacity as Nigerians and based on their roles assigned by the PDP.
The investigation by the House of Representatives' Committee on Ethics and Privileges is considered illegal and unconstitutional, violating the plaintiffs' rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association, and peaceful assembly.
The court issued a perpetual injunction, restraining the House of Representatives and its committees from investigating or further investigating the PDP caucus leaders and/or taking any disciplinary action against them.
The order prohibits the House from interfering with the legislative duties, responsibilities, and entitlements of the PDP caucus leaders as members of the House of Representatives.
The PDP caucus leaders had earlier filed a suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/68/2020) on January 27, 2020, challenging the constitutionality of the probe.
The investigation was launched in November 2019 following allegations that the PDP caucus leaders issued public statements misleading the general public and causing confusion and disaffection in the House of Representatives.

Statistics:

The investigation was launched in November 2019.
The PDP caucus leaders had filed their suit on January 27, 2020.
The court ruling was delivered on [date not specified in the source material].

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