The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, challenging the National Assembly’s alleged breach of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The suit, FHC/L/CS/286/25 filed by Fumilayo Falana, SAN, on behalf of HEDA Resource Centre, seeks the court’s interpretation of Sections 88(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
HEDA Resource Centre is praying the court to declare that the National Assembly is not competent to direct or cause to be directed investigations into any matter without a resolution published in its journal or the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation.
Additionally, the plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the powers of the National Assembly to conduct investigations are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling them to make laws, correct defects in existing laws, expose corruption, inefficiency, or waste in the execution or administration of laws.
The civil society organisation is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Assembly from summoning or inviting private persons and representatives of private corporate bodies to appear before them or any of their committees without following the appropriate procedure and purpose under the law.
According to HEDA Resource Centre, the National Assembly has been summoning private persons and representatives of private corporate bodies to appear before its committees without due process, which is a breach of the Constitution.
The plaintiff argues that the National Assembly’s investigative powers are not at large and are subject to the provisions of the Constitution.
This legal action underscores HEDA Resource Centre’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria.
