Supreme Court Orders Jonathan, National Assembly to Settle Differences in 48 Hours

The Supreme Court Nigeria on Monday gave the Executive arm of Nigerian government and the National Assembly 48 hours to resolve their differences over the Fourth Alteration of 1999 Constitution Bill.

They are to return to the court after harmonising their respective positions and with the report of their out-of-court settlement on May 27, the apex court ordered.

President Goodluck Jonathan had vetoed the Bill passed by the National Assembly. The lawmakers threatened to override the President’s veto but were restrained by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on May 7 fixed June 18 for hearing of the matter, but last week suddenly reversed the hearing date to May 25.

The decision was informed by an application filed by the National Assembly, through its counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, seeking re-listing of the case before the expiration of the current National Assembly on June 5.

He had urged the court to discharge its order of interlocutory injunction made on May 7 for the maintenance of status by parties and restraining the NASS from overriding the president’s veto of the amendments.

On Monday, the Supreme Court said the issues in contention were simple and could be reconciled by the parties without the court’s intervention.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed, who presided over the proceedings, issued the ultimatum following an application by Bayo Ojo, counsel to the Federal Government…