A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, fixed March 25 to deliver a judgment in the 418million dollars Paris Club debt suit filed by the 36 state governments against the Federal Government.
Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date after counsel to the plaintiffs and the
defendants adopted their processes and presented their arguments for
and against the matter.
The court had, on Nov. 5, 2021, restrained the Federal Government from
deducting monies accruing to the 36 states from the federation account
to settle 418 million dollars judgment debt in relation to Paris Club
Refund pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court gave the order following an ex-parte motion moved by
counsel to the plaintiffs, Jibrin Okutekpa, SAN, while the 36 states
Attorney-Generals are the plaintiffs on the suit.
Some of the defendants listed in the suit include the Attorney-General of
the Federation (AGF), Accountant General of the Federation and
Ministry of Finance.
Others are Central Bank of Nigeria, Debt Management Office,
Federation Account Allocation Committee, Incorporated Trustees of
Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), among others.
The reliefs sought by the plaintiffs include an order of interim
injunction, restraining the Federal Government from deducting any
money accruing or due to all or any of the 36 states of the federation.
