NCP Drags Federal Government To Court; Over Closure Of Schools
The decision of the Federal Government to close down all private and public primary and secondary schools in Nigeria for the registration of voters has been challenged by the National Conscience Party, NCP, at the Federal High Court through its lawyer, Femi Falana.
The Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/27/2011 was filed at the Federal High Court on Monday, January 17, 2011 by the Chairman of the Lagos State Branch of the National Conscience Party, Mr. Tunde Agunbiade on behalf of two of his children – Akintunde and Oreoluwa who are students of Omole Grammar School, Ikeja.
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the decision of the Federal Ministry of Education to close down all private and public schools from January 4-31, 2011 for the registration of voters is illegal, null and void as it violates Section 10 of the Electoral Act, 2011.
They are also seeking an order of perpetual injunction to restrain the defendant from closing down private and public schools for registration of voters forthwith.
In the affidavit in support of the Originating Summons Mr. Agunbiade disclosed that JAMB, WAEC and NECO have, for the past two years, recorded 80% failure and if the illegal closure of schools is not checked the standard of education will continue to nose drive to the detriment of the nation.
Meanwhile, NEXT newspaper yesterday exposed the hypocrisy thrown up by the closure of schools nationwide by reporting that the school President Goodluck Jonathan’s children attend in Abuja, American International School, defied the order by carrying out normal academic activities.
The newspaper also published on its front page the photograph of pupils of the school, including President Jonathan’s children, studying in the school.
Following the embarrassing newspaper report, the Federal Government quickly ordered the school shut as a facesaving measure.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
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