Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday said he would order the arrest of former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, if he fails to appear before him on December 19.
The judge said he would also compel a former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, to attend court should he be absent that day.
Both are among alleged contemnors in a contempt proceedings initiated by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) executive committee members in Ogun State, led by Chief Adebayo Dayo.
Other alleged contemnors in the proceedings are the PDP, Dave Salako and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Ogun executives initiated the contempt proceedings against them for allegedly disobeying orders of the court.
The plaintiffs alleged that
the respondents had been attempting to remove them from office, despite two Federal High Court judgments affirming the legality of their positions.
Justice Abang warned that he would not tolerate any disobedience of his orders by anybody.
“I have jurisdiction to enforce the judgment of this court. It’s up to them to be here on the next adjourned date. If they’re not here on the 15th of December, I will compel their attendance. I so hold,” the judge held.
Justice Abang said it was wrong for anyone to disobey a court order and give the impression that the court is powerless.
“The court should bark and bite, and where the situation demands, break the bones,” the judge warned.
Justice Abang said he would also not consider any application filed by the alleged contemnors if they do not appear in court personally.
“The alleged contemnors are not in court, but they ought to be in court. It is mandatory that they have to be here. They cannot be in the comfort of their homes. They must be in court before any application filed by them can be taken,” the judge said.
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