The House of Representatives told hundreds of Muslims that stormed the green chamber on Wednesday that the public hearing scheduled to hold has been postponed. Though some lawmakers attended to those that went for the public hearing, they only explained the need for the postponement.
This is the second time the public hearing will be postponed. Earlier, the hearing was scheduled to hold on Tuesday 6th February, 2018.
It was gathered that the Muslims who had stormed the public hearing venue were disappointed with the postponement. Regrettably, many travelled long distance to attend the postponed hearing. Our correspondent gathered that some of the Muslims left Lagos and other far places Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning.
At 10.30am, the public hearing did not commence as participants were only seated inside room 236, New Wing, Federal House of Representatives, Three Arms Zone, Abuja. The cancellation announcement was made few minutes past 11 o’clock. It was reported that the postponement was as a result of a ruling of Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, 28th February. The Justice had ordered that the public hearing be suspended pending the determination of the substantive suit. A member of the committee on Judiciary confided in our correspondent that the House of Representatives proceeded to announce another date for the public hearing because it was not initially served any official restraining order.
Asked why the announcement of the new date after the court order, the source said, “We thought it was the usual misinterpretation of court statements and only read it in the media. No order was served officially until late on Tuesday. We have no choice than to obey the court. We apologise to all those concerned.”
Earlier, the clerks of the public hearing joint committee, Idris Mora and Kamoru Ogunlana, confirmed the postponement. “There is a court order served on the National Assembly today (Tuesday) restraining us. Nevertheless, those who are already around will be informed tomorrow (Wednesday),” Mora said. When asked to confirm the postponement, Ogunlana said, “Yes, court order.”
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