A Federal High Court sitting in
Lagos has restrained President
Goodluck Jonathan, from
assenting to the bill for an Act
to amend the Oil and Gas
Export Free Zone.

The court, presided over by
Justice Saliu Saidu, also
restrained the National
Assembly, the Clerk of the
National Assembly from
forwarding the Bill to Amend the
Oil and Gas Export Free Zone
Authority Act. Cap. 05 to
President Jonathan for his
assent.

The order was sequel to a
motion ex-parte, in a suit filed
before the court on behalf of
Nigerdock Nigeria Plc, SIMCO
Free Zone Company and
Nigerdock Nigeria Plc-FZE, who
are plaintiffs in the suit.
Justice Saliu Saidu also
restrained the National
Assembly, the Clerk of the
National Assembly, the Attorney-
General of the Federation,
Minister of Industry, Trade and
Investment, the Honourable
Minister of Transport, and the
Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA)
from prohibiting the usage of
the plaintiffs’ facilities at Snake
Island Integrated Free Zone for
Oil and Gas cargoes destined for
use in the free zone.

The plaintiffs had claimed that
the Snake Island Integrated Free
Trade Zone was approved as a
privately owned and managed
Free Zone by Presidential
declaration in January 2005. It
was duly licensed by the Nigeria
Export Processing Zones
Authority (NEPZA), in April 2005.

The plaintiffs, however
argue that in November 2014,
they became aware of a Bill for
An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas
Export Free Zone Authority Act,
Cap. 05, Laws of the Federation
of Nigeria, adding that the bill
was presented to the Senate and
a public hearing was conducted
without the knowledge of the
plaintiffs who claim that the
amendment will negatively
undermine and violate their
constitutional rights.

Justice Saliu Saidu has adjourned
till May 26, 2015, for further
hearing of the suit.

As if GEJ is even desperate to sign it. D ammended constitution forwarded to him for signing into law which wud v been more historic was turned down by him.

Great

But why