Ifere Paul|23 January 2017
The Cross River State government will today the 23 January, 2017 challenge the injunction imposed on the ability of the government to appoint a caretaker committee.
Recalled that two weeks ago, the Cross River Stated government has appointed a LGA Caretaker committee to oversee the administration of the LGA at the expiration of the tenure of LGA government Chairmen and their councillors.
The State APC, led by all the Local Government Chapter Chairmen challenged the decision of government for appointing the caretaker committee instead of conducting elections.
Barrister Utum Eteng, a seasoned human right activist, and former Atam Congress Secretary, who is leading other APC lawyers, challenged the legality of the decision of Governor Ayade.
Barrister Utum Eteng cited the ruling of the Supreme Court in Ekiti State which ruled that the appointments of caretaker committees in Ekiti State by Governor Ayo Fayose was illegal and unconstitutional.
Citing the Supreme Court ruling, Barrister Utum Eteng moved a motion for an injunction to bar the caretaker committee from functioning. The motion was granted.
Today, the Cross River State, led by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Justice Joe Abang, and other 20 lawyers, will challenge the injunction imposed on the caretaker committees by APC led Counsel, Barr Utum Eteng.
The Cross River State lead counsel whilst addimitting the challenge of the APC that Governor Ayade can't appoint HOLGA to do the work of elected councils, is arguing that the State acted under the doctrine of necessity largely because the State has no funds.
However, Barr Utum Eteng is arguing that the State has all the funds it needed to conduct the elections as federal government has just paid 11.3 Billion Naira to the State.
Ifere Paul
Is Public Policy Analyst
