The Plateau House of Assembly speaker, Gabriel Dewan, says he has a court injunction to recognise only eight assembly members.

Dewan stated that the 16 sacked lawmakers and the other 16 with certificates of return were all laying claim to the seats.

The speaker disclosed this when he addressed journalists on Tuesday in Jos, following the resumption of the lawmakers’ long recess after the Court of Appeal sacked 16 members elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The eight members gained access to the temporary premises of the assembly. Others were not allowed to enter.

“At present, there are 32 members laying claim to the seats. Since the 32 members had their certificates of return and are claiming their mandates, admitting them into the chambers would be unlawful.

“For now, only eight members will be sitting. I have a court injunction restraining the house from inaugurating the 16 APC members. Yes, they have their certificates of return issued to them by INEC, but they can’t be inaugurated until the final determination or vacation of the injunction,’’ he said.

There was mild drama earlier on Tuesday at Old Government Jos, the temporary venue of the assembly after a police’s tear gas accidentally went off.

The tear gas went off as police personnel were trying to stop supporters of the sacked members from gaining access to where the lawmakers were billed to sit.

The temporary assembly complex has been taken over by security personnel. 

(NAN)