The Cross River State government has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja seeking a stay of execution against the judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja which sacked the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Eteng Williams, and 17 of his colleagues over their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A statement by Christian Ita, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the state governor, noted that a motion on stay of execution has also been filed at the Federal High Court, even as he urged the lawmakers at the State House of Assembly and those at the National Assembly to go about their duties freely.
The statement noted: “This is to inform All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the National Assembly from Cross River State, members of the Cross River State House of Assembly and the general public that an appeal against the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja has been filed at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
“Also, a motion for a stay of execution of the Federal High Court has been filed. Both processes were filed by renowned constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome.
“Following the filing of the two processes, automatically the orders of the lower court are stayed.
“Consequently, the APC members in both the National Assembly and the Cross River State House of Assembly should go about their duties freely.
“Find attached, copies of the Notice of Appeal and the motion for the stay of execution of the orders of the Federal High Court, Abuja.”
