SWF: Supreme Court orders govs to serve FG

A panel of justices of the apex court led by Justice Walter Onnoghen gave the order in a ruling after listening to a motion filed by the counsel to the federal government, Austin Alegeh (SAN).The development followed the failure of plans to settle the matter out of court.Counsel to the states, Yusuf Ali (SAN) opposed […]

A panel of justices of the apex court led by Justice Walter Onnoghen gave the order in a ruling after listening to a motion filed by the counsel to the federal government, Austin Alegeh (SAN).
The development followed the failure of plans to settle the matter out of court.
Counsel to the states, Yusuf Ali (SAN) opposed the motion, arguing that the particulars are contained in the application they filed before the court.
However, the Supreme Court, in a short ruling, directed the states to, within seven days, provide the federal government with the particulars of their amended statement of claim.
“The plaintiff is to supply the further particulars as required within seven days of this order while the defendant is to file an amended statement of defence within 21 days of the receipt of the further particulars,” Justice Onnoghen said.
36 states of the federation had sued the federal government before the apex court over plans to transfer $1 billion from the “Excess Crude Account” to a new a new account to be known as the “Sovereign Wealth Fund.”
The court had ordered the parties to appear before it but there have been talks of an out-of-court-settlement.
The Supreme Court adjourned the suit to September 23.