A
federal high court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, granted a motion
filed by Integrated oil and Gas Limited barring the Federal Government
from taking any action on the fuel subsidy probe report by the House of
Representatives.
The injunction, granted by Gladys Oluto, asked all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the originating summons; and prevents any form of arrest, detention, prosecution and the recovery of the N13.2 billion allegedly collected by the company.
Ms. Oluto, also granted accelerated hearing in the suit.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Tayo Eyitibo, said any action taken against his client would be illegal; particularly when it (Integrated oil)is challenging the
constitutionality and credibility of the probe report owing to the controversy surrounding the outcome of the probe.
The company based its arguments on the scandal involving the chairman of the adhoc committee who is alleged to have collected a bribe of $620,000 .
Counsel to the respondents, Adegboya Awomolo, held that the order granted for accelerated hearing of the suit is important to the case as government
intends to complete investigations and prosecution, noting that the report of the committee is still being considered as fact finding; requiring
relevant security agencies to first study it before any legal action can be taken against persons indicted by the report.
Joined in the originating summons are the Federal House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, and the Inspector General of Police.
The case was adjourned to October 18, for hearing.
The injunction, granted by Gladys Oluto, asked all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the originating summons; and prevents any form of arrest, detention, prosecution and the recovery of the N13.2 billion allegedly collected by the company.
Ms. Oluto, also granted accelerated hearing in the suit.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Tayo Eyitibo, said any action taken against his client would be illegal; particularly when it (Integrated oil)is challenging the
constitutionality and credibility of the probe report owing to the controversy surrounding the outcome of the probe.
The company based its arguments on the scandal involving the chairman of the adhoc committee who is alleged to have collected a bribe of $620,000 .
Counsel to the respondents, Adegboya Awomolo, held that the order granted for accelerated hearing of the suit is important to the case as government
intends to complete investigations and prosecution, noting that the report of the committee is still being considered as fact finding; requiring
relevant security agencies to first study it before any legal action can be taken against persons indicted by the report.
Joined in the originating summons are the Federal House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, and the Inspector General of Police.
The case was adjourned to October 18, for hearing.
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