http://www.thetimesofnigeria.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1658

The Court of Appeal ruled this morning that privileges stripped from Vice President Abubakar Atiku should be restored immediately. The Court also restrained the Federal Government from taking any step or further action that will affect the status of the Vice President as well as jeopardize the matter brought before it by the Vice President.

This order was made as the five justices formally referred the questions in the substantive suit to the Supreme Court for determination.

In the unanimous verdict delivered by Appeal Courtpresident, Justice Umaru Abudullahi, the Federal Government was ordered to maintain the status quo before the start of hostilities between the Presidency and the Vice President.

In making this order, the Court disagreed with the counsels to the defendants, all of who had earlier argued against the granting of this order.

Justice Abdullahi said that the counsels’ opposition to the interim injunction was “untenable” as they failed to show how their clients can be affected if the court made the order.

The Vice President has, by this order, again scored a major legal victory against the politically motivated onslaught from the Presidency to prevent him from offering himself as a candidate in the 2007 Presidential elections.

Thus, the purported sacking of the Vice President and the purported loss of immunity and attendant rights and privileges have been nullified.

The Federal Government is also expected by this injunction to restore to the office all sacked staff and all property taken away from the office and residence, including the use of presidential plane and all other entitlements.

Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had gone to the Court of Appeal to seek its interpretation of Sections 135 and 142(2), Sections 142, 143, 144 and 146 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on whether the President has powers under the constitution to declare the office of the Vice-President vacant.

He equally prayed the court to determine whether having regard to the clear provisions of Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can withdraw, tamper or interfere with or violate the immunity conferred on the office of the Vice-President of Nigeria by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or order his arrest or prosecution?

By this court ruling, Atiku Abubakar still remains the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with all the rights and privileges of the office.

is OBJ a mad man? why is he always starting what he cant finish? from UBE to deregulation to 3rd term now its removing atiku .OBJ is a total failure cos he has failed in all what he seems to be doing, all his policies have failed even his attempt to extend his tenure too has failed, his attempt to remove atiku too is now a mess what kind of mad man is that? may God save us from the hands of mad animals that call them selves leaders

OBJ has lost in every legal battle with Atiku. Does he not have advisers who counsel him on the chances of his legal undertakings

i tire 4 OBJ ohhhh. he should go and rest we dont want him again. we are all tired of all his lies and madness