Supreme Court halts constitution amendment

The Supreme Court on Thursday in Abuja halted the ongoing amendment to the 1999 Constitution.

A seven man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Muhmud Mohammed, consequently directed that the status quo be maintained with regard to the issue.

The order followed the suit filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), challenging the passage of the 4^th Alternation Bill by the 7^th National Assembly which tenure ends on June 5.

The court explained that the ordered implied that no further step should be taken by the parties in the suit with respect to the issue. It therefore fixed June 18 for further proceedings.

Before granting the order to maintain the status quo, the apex court raised questions about the composition of parties in the suit.

For instance, it asked Adoke‘s counsel, Bayo Ojo (SAN), whether the suit ought not to have been filed in the name of the President instead of the AGF.