Lawyers Sues Reps Over Insurance Of Assets Probe

A lawyer, Mr. Chijioke Ndubuisi, has sued the House of Representatives over alleged plan to probe insurance of government assets.

Ndubuisi sued the House before the Federal High Court, Lagos, and joined its Finance Committee Chairman, Dr Abdulmumi Jibrin, and the attorney- general of the federation as defendants in the suit.

A copy of the suit was made available to our correspondent in Lagos.

The plaintiff wanted the court to declare that Jibrin had no constitutional powers to send notices to several insurance companies to appear before the committee for verification and enquires.

The lawyer said that the action was not provided for in the laws governing insurance in Nigeria.

He also sought a declaration that the invitation and proposed enquiry were aimed at extorting and intimidating the chief executives of insurance companies.

The plaintiff further sought a declaration that the House was not empowered to usurp the powers of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in respect of insurance of government properties.

He said that the House could do so only after amending the Insurance Act, 2003.

He sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from carrying out the enquiry in privately- owned insurance companies, without any complaints made against such companies or without reference to NAICOM.

Ndubuisi wanted the court to restrain the defendants, their agents, privies and servants from breaching the Insurance Act, 2003, the National Insurance Commission Act, 1997 and the 1999 Constitution.

No date has been fixed for hearing in the suit.