A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the House of Representatives to maintain status quo on the Infectious Disease Bill, which has passed second reading.
Justice Ifeoma Ojukwu also summoned the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN); Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; and the National Assembly over the bill.
A former representative of Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, filed a suit against the National Assembly over the consideration of the infectious diseases bill sponsored by Gbajabiamila last week.
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.
He asked the court to stop the passage of the bill.
In a motion ex parte 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 ex parte shall be granted.”