Plateau State High Court has adjourned the continuation of the hearing in a suit filed by a lawmaker, Dachung Bagos, challenging Governor Simon Lalong over the planned agreement with Jaiz Bank, an Islamic bank, to rebuild the Jos Main Market.

The presiding judge, S. P Gang, in his ruling, adjourned the matter until August 30 for a continuation of the hearing.

Niri Darong, a counsel to the claimant/applicant, told the court that the defendants, in reaction to their originating summons, had chosen to file preliminary objections and prayed the court to allow notice of originating summons to allow the two applications to be taken together.

Mr Darong told the court that they gave the objectors time to file their responses which he said was within 21 days of notice.

He stated that the Nigerian constitution had given every citizen the right to challenge any government act, adding that the lawmaker has the right to defend the right of his people and that of his constituents. 

Attorney General of the state Chrysantus Ahmadu did not object to the prayer of the claimant’s counsel and urged that the originating summons and existing summons be taken together.

Mr Bagos, the member representing Jos East /Jos Federal Constituency, had secured a court injunction at the Plateau High Court, restraining the state government from signing an agreement with Jaiz Bank on the reconstruction of the Jos Main Market.

The injunction, granted on August 2 by the presiding judge, restrains Mr Lalong, the state government and the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Plateau State, from signing an agreement with Jaiz Bank pending the hearing of the substantive suit.

The Jos Main market was gutted by fire in 2001, with more than 3,700 shops destroyed, affecting the source of livelihood of traders in the market over 20 years ago.

(NAN)