Travel Agent Drags Buhari To Court Over Alleged Illegal Extension Of The Tenure Of The NAHCON Chairman By 6 Months

Mas’Ud Muazu, a Registered Travel Agent and Chairman of Mumtazam Travel Agency Ltd, Kano State, has dragged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, (Chairman NAHCON), the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Attorney General of the Federation, to the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, over what he describes as the illegal extension of the tenure of the NAHCON Chairman by 6 months.

The matter with Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/935/2019, which was brought by way of Originating Summons is seeking for a determination of the questions to wit: whether by the combine provisions of Section 171 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 (1) of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2006, the 3^rd Defendant has the power to elongate the tenure of the 2^nd Defendant beyond 2^nd terms in the office; and whether if issue 1 is answered in the negative, 2^nd Defendant’s continued stay in office as Chairman of the 1^st Defendant is not unlawful and unconstitutional.

The Originating Summons which is dated the 7^th day of August, 2019, and made available to TheNigerialawyer (TNL) is supported by a 11 paragraphs affidavit deposed to by Ibrahim Alhassan, a Co-Counsel to Abba A. Hikima, Esq. Messrs, Lebral Legal Consultant, lead counsel to the plaintiff.

Arguing the various positions of the law in their written address in support, the plaintiff is seeking for a Declaration that the 6 month extension of the tenure of the 2^nd Defendant as chairman of the 1^st Defendant beyond 2 terms in office is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional; a declaration that the continued stay in office of the 2^nd Defendant after the expiration of the 2^nd and final term in office is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional as well as AN ORDER of the Honourable Court mandating the 2^nd Defendant to vacate the office forthwith having over-stayed lawful tenure in office as chairman of the 1^st Defendant and AN ORDER of the Honourable Court directing 3^rd Defendant to appoint a fit and proper person to chair the 1^st Defendant in line with the provisions of the NAHCON (Establishment Act) 2005.