All Progressives Congress (APC) has threatened to drag the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to court for contempt following sack of Daniels Charles representing Brass constituency 1 in the House of Assembly by the Court of Appeal.
Also, the Speaker, Abraham Ngobere and Charles risk jail for not abiding by the order of the court which sacked the latter with immediate effect.
Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt had, on July 14, in a unanimous decision by Joseph Ikeyegh, Gabriel Kolawole and Olabode Adegbehingbe in suit CA/PH/79/2022, ruled there was merit in the appeal filed by the APC which sought the sacking of Charles from defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party from APC on whose platform he emerged the House of Assembly member.
The court which hinged its decision on Section 109(1) (g) and (2) of the constitution ordered the speaker, under constitutional duties, to declare his seat vacant and directed Charles to return all monies and allowances he has collected since April 14, 2021.
Counsel to APC, Tuduru Ede, who expressed dismay that Charles is still being allowed to participate in the deliberation of the House, said INEC, the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Ngobere and Charles are all in contempt of the Court’s ruling.
Ede, who insisted the Court of Appeal made a declaratory judgment, said the implication of allowing Charles to remain in the House is that all motions and decisions made by the House of Assembly are null and void.