Defection Saga: Court Sacks 20 Members Of Cross River House Of Assembly

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday, declared the seats of 20 members of the House of Assembly of Cross River State vacant over their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC).

The trial judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo in his ruling, dismissed the argument of the defence that the PDP (plaintiff) had no locus standi (legal rights) to institute the case.

Justice Taiwo declared 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.

Justice Taiwo therefore granted all the reliefs sought by the PDP, saying that it was disheartening that politicians in the country treat citizens as if they do not matter once they get into office.

He declared; “We cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound”.

Two members of the House of Representatives and 18 House of Assembly members from Cross River State that defected with Governor Ben Ayade to the APC were affected by the judgment