Nigeria’s Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sacked 20 members of the Cross River State House of Assembly who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
In a judgement delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, on Monday, the court held that the lawmakers needed to vacate their seats since they had abandoned the party which brought them to power.
In the judgment, Justice Taiwo dismissed the defence argument that the PDP (Plaintiff) had no locus standi (legal rights) to institute the case.
Justice Taiwo ruled that the argument of the lawmakers that there was rancour in the PDP which necessitated their defection to APC was a ploy to mislead the court.
The judge, who granted all the reliefs sought by the PDP, held that it was disheartening that politicians in the country treat citizens as if they do not matter once they get into office.
According to him, we cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound.
Recall that another judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo had on March 8 sacked Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, and his Deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe and 17 lawmakers for defection.