Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday slated December 17 for judgement in the suit filed by the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Deziani Alison-Madueke, and Nigeria National Petroleum (NNPC) seeking to stop the House of Representatives from inviting and probing her.
The House of Representatives is seeking to probe Deziani over an allegation that she blew the sum of N10 billion on a chartered aircraft.
Deziani had on April 11 challenged the move as she dragged the Senate and the House of Representatives as 1st and 2nd defendants before the court praying it for an order of perpetual injunction restraining them from summoning or directing her appearance before any committee particularly the Public Accounts Committee set up by the second defendants.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, the plaintiffs through their counsel, Etigwe Uwa, submitted that the National Assembly had no constitutional power to carry out an over sight function on Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government and hold hearing to adjudicate on petitions against them, especially her ministry.
The plaintiffs, however, prayed the court to set aside the invitation and the probe.
Opposing the argument, the defendants through their counsel, A.B Mahmud, and Yakubu Maikyau prayed the court to dismiss the argument of the plaintiffs.
They added that the National Assembly has not issued any summon on the plaintiffs, rather an invitation.
In the suit filed, Deziani wants the court to stop the defendants from asking her to present papers, notes or documents before any such committee or the giving of any evidence by the relevant public officers.
After hearing all the parties, the trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed adjourned till December 17.