The Federal High Court, Abuja, has refused to vacate its order restraining the federal government from deducting monies accruing to the 36 states from federation account to settle $418 million judgment debt in relation to Paris Club refund.
Trial judge, Iyang Ekwo, who declined to grant the plea by counsel for the defendants, adjourned the matter till December 13.
The judge said he preferred to hear all pending applications, including the one by the defendants challenging the order, on the next hearing date.
Inspiration FM reports that the judge had, on November 5, made the order after counsel for the 36 state governments (plaintiffs), Jibrin Okutekpa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, moved an ex-parte motion, seeking an order of interim injunction, restraining the federal government from deducting any money accruing or due to all or any of the 36 states of the federation.
The court had also ruled that the restraining order would remain pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Inspiration FM also reports that while the 36 states Attorneys-General are the plaintiffs, some of the defendants listed in the suit include the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Accountant-General of the Federation and Ministry of Finance.
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