MARCH 22, 2012 BY ADE ADESOMOJU
Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Gabriel Amalu, has asked a Federal High Court, Lagos to stop the operations of three task forces of the petroleum ministry set up by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
One of the task forces, Ministerial Committee on Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, is headed by former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The others are Ministerial Committee on Governance and Control Task Force, headed by Dotun Suleman, and the Ministerial Committee on National Refineries Special Task Force, whose Chairman is Dr. Idika Kalu.
Amalu, in a supporting affidavit, stated that the suit was informed by the need to stem the conduct and acts of the Petroleum Minister.
The plaintiff noted that the setting up of the committees was an unconstitutional transfer of the powers of the Petroleum Minister and that of other agencies and parastatals of the ministry.
According to Amalu, section 5(1) of the Constitution and Section 12 of the Petroleum Act, Cap P10, Laws of Nigeria 2004, stipulates the responsibilities of the Minister of Petroleum and other agencies and parastatals in the petroleum ministry.
He maintained that such duties were not meant to be delegated.
Amalu, in a notice for interlocutory reliefs pending the determination of the substantive suit sought the court’s interim order restraining the said committees from exercising the functions of the minister and those of parastatals of the Ministry as provided for in relevant laws.
SOURCE: The Punch, 22 March 2012. http://www.punchng.com/
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