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"id": 1180179,
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"content": "in contravention of the constitutional principle of separation of powers as they were inviting the court to determine a matter under the exclusive jurisdiction of the National Assembly under Article 155(3)(b) of the Constitution and the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, 2011. Hon. Members, in its ruling delivered today, Tuesday, 29th November 2022, the court agreed with the National Assembly’s submission that the doctrine of separation of powers as provided for in the Constitution ought to be respected and upheld at all times. Further, the court observed that the National Assembly has exclusive original jurisdiction to, first, carry out the approval process before court can intervene. The court, therefore, paved the way for the resumption of the vetting process noting that the Petitions were baseless, frivolous, vexatious and premature. The court also noted that the Legislature must be allowed to carry out its constitutional mandate without undue interference by any person or other arm of Government. At the outset, I wish to note the very progressive view taken by the court in this matter. Whereas it is the constitutional right of every person to approach the courts of law, State organs must be allowed sufficient leeway to carry out their mandate without undue interference by any person. Indeed, to a keen observer, the petitioners were moved more by a lack of proper information and legal guidance, and a push to stall a process for reasons other than national interest. Hon. Members, as observed by the court, comity among the organs of the State dictates that one organ shall not interfere in a matter under the active consideration of another organ. Indeed, our own Standing Order 89 on matters sub-judice, prohibits referral or consideration of any matter before a court of law. In the same vein, the courts are expected to exercise restraint and refrain from interfering with matters that are active before Parliament, a constitutional concept that the court has today, once again, upheld in its ruling. As the National Assembly, we will endeavour to protect and uphold these constitutional principles in furtherance of the mandate bestowed on us. Hon. Members, following this ruling by the court, I wish to guide the House, the concerned committees and the general public as follows: (i) That, the suspension of the vetting of persons nominated to serve as principal secretaries is hereby lifted. The committees are, therefore, expected to resume the vetting process immediately. (ii) That, all departmental committees are to conclude the vetting proceedings and approval hearings as soon as possible to allow for the conclusion of the process. In any case, noting that the House will be commencing the long recess on 2nd December 2022 in accordance with its Calendar, it is expected that the committees will hasten the process and report to the House by the end of the morning Sitting of Thursday, 1st December 2022 to pave way for consideration of the various approval Motions by the House. I thank you."
}