The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Wednesday fixed April 11 for judgment in the suit seeking the declaration of the seat of Yakubu Dogara vacant on account of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Donatus Okorowo, who fixed the date, said though the judgment was earlier scheduled for Wednesday, it was not ready.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had asked the court to remove Mr Dogara, as member representing Dass, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Federal Constituency of Bauchi, over his defection to APC.

While the PDP and its Bauchi chairman, Hamza Akuyam, are the plaintiffs, Mr Dogara, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney General of the Federation, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC are first to fifth defendants, respectively in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1060/2020.

Mr Dogara had, on July 24, 2020, defected from the PDP to the APC when he submitted a resignation letter to the chairman of the Bogoro ‘C’ ward.

Justice Inyang Ekwo had, on March 8, sacked Governor David Umahi, Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe, Ebonyi House of Assembly lawmakers who defected from PDP for APC, describing their action as unlawful.

In a related development, Justice Taiwo Taiwo had also ordered the 20 lawmakers from Cross River to vacate their seats following their defection from PDP to APC on Monday.

(NAN)