The incorporated trustees of a civil society group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International have asked an Abuja Federal High Court to compel the Federal Executive Council to declare ailing President Muhammadu Buhari unfit to continue to hold office.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/671/2017 was filed on Thursday.
The group is also asking the same court to order the National Assembly to constitute a medical panel to verify the fitness of the president who has been away on medical leave in the United Kingdom since May 7, 2017.
It was the second time since his presidency that Mr. Buhari will be away on a prolonged medical sojourn abroad. The first was in February, when he spent over seven weeks on medical vacation.
Joined as respondents in the suit are, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the Federal Executive Council, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the National Assembly.
Recall that about three weeks ago, a Nigerian based in the United States, Mr. Toyin Dawodu, filed a suit, asking the court to compel Senate President Bukola Saraki to constitute a medical panel to check Buhari’s health status.
The president’s party, All Progressives Congress, APC, control both houses of Nigerian parliament. The signs remain that they are not about to invoke section 144 of the Nigeria constitution to declare office vacant and facilitate Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stepping up into the office of President of the Federal Republic.
Legally, Mr. Buhari is entitled to 60 days annual leave, which is calculated from the day he took office in 2015.
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