A Lagos-based lawyer and activist, Mr Malcom Omirhobo, has asked the Federal High Court to declare unlawful the purchase of exotic cars by the National Assembly.
Joined as defendants in the suit number FHC/L/CS/1598/16 are the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Assembly.
Omirhobo, who sued for himself and on behalf of the people of Nigeria, raised different questions for the court’s determination.
He asked the court to decide whether the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007, applied to all procurement of goods, works and services carried out by the government.
He also sought to know whether the Senate and House of Representatives had complied with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 in the procurement of their official cars.
Omirhobo also asked the court to determine whether in the face of the Public Procurement Act, it was lawful for the defendants to refuse to patronise and purchase affordable locally manufactured cars for official use.
He also asked the court to determine whether it was lawful and legal for the Senate to acquire cars at prices twice their market value.
Also of concern to the activist is whether in the face of the 1999 Constitution, it was lawful for the defendants to use tax payers money to purchase exotic and expensive cars considering the country’s economic situation.
He sought a declaration that by the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, it was unlawful for the defendants to purchase their official cars without complying with the provisions of the Act.
The plaintiff also sought a declaration that it was wasteful for the defendants not to have purchased made-in-Nigeria cars as their official vehicles.
In addition, Omirhobo wanted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from purchasing their official cars without compliance with the Public Procurement Act.
He also sought an order compelling the defendants to purchase affordable locally manufactured cars as their official cars instead of importing foreign, exotic and expensive cars.
No date has been fixed for the hearing. (NAN)
Source: Vanguardngr