Plateau judge counsels politicians
From CHRISTIANA GOKYO, Jos

The Chief Judge of High Court 12 in Jos, Justice Muhammad .I. Sirajo has warned politicians representing different groups in the cour,t to desist from threatening him, because no amount of threat could deter him from discharging his judicial duties.
He handed down the warning, Monday, at the hearing between the 16 local government chairmen of Plateau state and the Attorney General of the state, the governor, members of the state House of Assembly and the state Independent Electoral Commission.
The judge wondered why they could not be allowed to deliver judgment according to the oath of their office, saying, a judicial oath is not a mere ceremony provided, it is for real.
He said, since the commencement of this case, he has received threats, adding: ‘’No amount of dreadful threat of whatever kind will deter me from my chosen post of dignity and honour as, my chosen post of dignity and honour are my defenses.’’
Hearing of the motion in his argument, the counsel of the 3rd defendants, the House of Assembly, Solomon Umoh filed an application challenging jurisdiction of the court, and urged the court to set aside the order of the expatriate motion filed and dated Jan 15, 2007, because it lacks jurisdictional merit.
He further argued that their tenure has been reduced, and further urged the court to dissolve their motion on notice because it lack merit.
In his argument, the Attornet General of the state, Edward Pwojok said an exparte order earlier granted by the High Court is irregular because it affects a mandatory restoratory order.
Pwojok said the act has been completed and any attempt by any court to issue such order would amount to interfering with the legislative matters.
Also in his argument, the plaintiffs, counsel, Norison Quaker said the court has powers to issue such order because the issues boarder on constitutional rights.