The coast is now clear for the House of Representatives to go ahead with the planned probe of the N10 billion allegedly spent on chartered jets by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Monday turned down the request for an order of interim injunction restraining the House from going ahead with the probe brought by the Minister and the NNPC.
The embattled Mrs. Alison-Madueke and the NNPC had approached the court seeking to stop their probe over an alleged N10billon spent on chartered jets pending the determination of the suit on notice.
While declining the request, the trial Judge, however granted an accelerated hearing of the suit.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives through its counsel, A.B Mahmud (SAN) tendered apology before the court for announcing at a press conference that the court had stopped the probe of the jet scandal.
According to the Counsel, they misconstrued the Originating Summons for an order of the court that had been granted.
While accepting the apology, the trial Judge directed the House to clarify issues with the media.
In his submission, Counsel to Deziani and NNPC, Uwah SAN, prayed the court to grant an order of interim injunction stopping the probe of his clients.
He said the House will commence the probe on June 17, arguing that the action will jeopardise the ongoing legal process.
Counsel to the House, Mahmud however assured that the probe would not jeopardise the legal process, urging the court to grant accelerated hearing instead.
Consequently, the court ordered both parties to exchange all necessary processes and adjourned the case till to June 19 for hearing.
Prompt News recalled that the House of Representatives spokesperson, Zakari Mohammed had few weeks ago announced that the House would not go ahead with the scheduled probe of Mrs. Alison-Madueke and the NNPC because of a Court order.
Apparently embarrassed by the media reports that he granted an order restraining the House from going ahead with the probe, Justice Mohammed had summoned both parties, demanding to know where the order originated from.
The trial Judge had said, “Am interest in where they got the order from since it did not emanate from this court”.
Counsel to the Minister and NNPC, Etigwe Uwah, also denied knowledge of the origin of the fake order, saying the reports emanated from the House, adding that he was also shocked when he saw the reports.
