The Acting Chief judge of Plateau State, Justice Pius Damulak has sued for an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in a lawsuit filed before the High court in Jos by Hon. Johnbul Shekarau, a member representing Shendam constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly. The lawmaker is in court challenging the State House of Assembly and 23 others for the process used to impeach him as the Deputy Speaker of the House. The case which came up for hearing at the Plateau State High Court 1 on Monday, presided by Justice Damulak could not be heard for want of time.

The Acting Chief judge of Plateau State, Justice Pius Damulak has sued for an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in a lawsuit filed before the High court in Jos by Hon. Johnbul Shekarau, a member representing Shendam constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly. The lawmaker is in court challenging the State House of Assembly and 23 others for the process used to impeach him as the Deputy Speaker of the House. The case which came up for hearing at the Plateau State High Court 1 on Monday, presided by Justice Damulak could not be heard because time had ran out.

When the case was mentioned for hearing, Justice Damulak asked both counsels to the plaintiff and the defense, if there an ADR  was reached by the two parties. Responding, both counsels said there was no move by the defendants for an ADR. Justice Damulak therefore had advised the counsels to prevail on their clients to consider an ADR rather than allowing the members of the House of Assembly to be divided over an issue that can be settled. However, counsel to the plaintiff prevailed on the court to hear the matter brought before it but the case was adjourned to 6th of May, 2014 for hearing on preliminary objections and originating summons. According to Justice Damulak, “arguments on the case will be heard on the adjourned date”

In a related development, the Goemai youths have unanimously added their voice against the debacle going on in the Plateau State House of Assembly which resulted in the impeachment of its former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Johnbul Shekarau. The group through its national president, Agwo Martin Dagen, told journalists that the action of the Plateau House of Assembly over the impeachment and subsequent suspension of the member in question without any substantive reason and fair hearing becomes disturbing and is seen as a plot to disenfranchise the people of Shandam. He added that Hon. Johnbul Shekarau through his outstanding leadership qualities has brought cohesion and positive change in the house of Assembly and the State at large, but wonders why some members were bent on deceiving the people with falls insinuations to simply remove him.

It would be recalled that after his impeachment, the former Deputy Speaker exercised his constitutional rights by approaching the court to ventilate the unlawful manner he was removed from office as Deputy Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly.

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Plateau House of Assembly Impeachment: Justice Damulak calls for alternative dispute resolution for settling with Johnbull Shekarau