Attorney-General of the Federation and 2 Others v Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria) and 3 Others (SC 31/2007) [2007] NGSC 179; (2007) 2 All N.L.R. 58

Tweet
Email

Tweet
Email

Summary case

Case information

Court:

Supreme Court of Nigeria

Date of judgment:

20 April 2007

Constitutional law – limitations of the freedom of association- whether a vice president can be removed from office by a president for criticizing the government or joining another party
Constitutional law – limitations of the freedom of association- whether the actions of a vice president criticizing the government or joining another party amounts to constructive vacation of office
Constitutional law – interpretation of the constitution – literal interpretation of the constitution – whether the court has jurisdiction to pronounce on the behavior of the Vice President and declare office vacant

This matter arose from a declaration that the office of vice president (VP) was vacant after he constructively vacated office by openly denouncing and condemning the sponsoring political party.

The first respondent, the VP, sought orders that the declaration removing him from office of VP was unlawful. The appellant counter claimed and asked for an order restraining the first respondent from parading as the vice president after resigning. The court of appeal entered judgment in favor of the first respondent and declared that his office as vice president still subsisted. The first appellant, the Attorney General, appealed to the Supreme Court.

The court noted that the Constitution envisages a harmonious political relationship between president and VP since the president nominates the VP. Although the office of the Vice President is an elective one, he was not voted in a separate election, but by the same votes by which the President was elected. Further, that the president lacks constitutional powers to remove the VP from office. While the VP’s right to freedom of association did not allow him to criticize the government or join another party. He could not be deemed to have resigned if he acted contrarily. Additionally, that only the National Assembly can declare the office of the VP vacant if he acts contrarily, and not the court.

The appeal was dismissed.

Association

Constitutional right of free association

Limitation of right of free association

Executive action limiting right of free association

FOA

Nigeria

Full judgment

Read the judgment on NigeriaLII

Reference information

Legislation considered:
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979: Ss 4(1); 58(4); 103
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999: Ss 5(1); 14; 40; 42(1)(a); 65; 66; 68(1)(g); 109(1)(g), (2); 110; 130(1), (2); 131(1)(c); 135; 136(1); 137; 141; 142(1), (2); 143(1)(2)(a), (b), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7)(a), (b), (8), (9), (10), (11), 144(1)(a), (b), (2), (3), (4)(a), (b) (5); 145; 146(1); (2), (3)(a), (b), (c), 214; 224; 239(1); 306(1), (2), (3); 308.
Electoral Act: generally
Supreme Court Act: S 22

Cases considered:

Nigeria
Abusi David Green v D.E.T. Dublin Green (1987) 3 NWLR 480
Ademolokwu v Council of University of Ibadan (1967) ANLR 40
Adeoshun v Adisa (1986) 5 NWLR 225
Adewunmi v Attorney-General of Ekiti State (2002) 2 NWLR 474
Afolayan v Oba Ogunrinde (1990) 1 NWLR (Part 127) 369
Attorney-General Abia State v Attorney-General of the Federation (2002) 6 NWLR (Part 763) 264
Attorney-General Bendel State v Aideyan (1989) 4 NWLR (Part 118) 646
Attorney-General Bendel State v Attorney-General of the Federation & others (1981) 10 SC 1
Attorney-General of the Federation v A.N.P.P. (2003) 18 NWLR (Part 851) 182
Attorney-General of Ondo State v Attorney-General of the Federation (2002) 9 NWLR (Part 772) 222
Attorney-General of Ogun State v Aberuagba (1985) 1 NWLR (Part 3) 395
Akibu v Oduntan (2000) 13 NWLR (Part 685) 446
Alegbe v Oloyo (1983) 14 NSCC 315
Anyankpele v Nigerian Army (2000) 13 NWLR (Part 684) 2009
Anyanwu v Mbara (1992) 5 NWLR (Part 242) 386
Atanda v Lakanmi (1974) 3 SC 109
Atolagbe v Shokun (1985) 1 NWLR (Part 2) 360
Awuse v Odili (2005) 16 NWLR (Part 925) 12
Ayoola v Baruwa (1999) 11 NWLR (Part 628) 595
Azu v The State (1993) 6 NWLR (Part 299) 303
Bamgboye v University of Ilorin (1999) 10 NWLR (Part 622) 290
Bello v Attorney-General of Oyo State (1986) 5 NWLR (Part 45) 828
Bisimillahi v Yagba East L.G. (2003) 4 NWLR (Part 810) 329
Bronik Motors Ltd v Wema Bank Ltd (1983) 1 SCNLR 296; (1983) 14 NSCC 226
Ifezue v Livinus Mbadugha & another (1984) 5 SC 79
Ehimare v Emhonyon (1985) 2 SC 49; (1985) 1 NWLR (Part 2) 177
Ekeocha v The Civil Service Commission of Imo State & another (1981) 1 NCLR 154
Elabanjo v Dawodu (2006) 15 NWLR (Part 1001) 28
Fadare v Attorney-General of Oyo State (1982) 4 SC 1
Garba & others v University of Maiduguri (1986) 1 NWLR (Part 18) 550
Government of Kaduna State v Kagoma (1982) 6 SC 87
Government of Lagos State v Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Part 18) 621
IBWA Ltd v Imano Ltd (1988) 7 SCNJ 326
I.M.B. v Tinubu (2001) 45 WRN 1
Ishola v Ajiboye (1994) 6 NWLR (Part 352) 506
Kusada v Sokoto N.A. (1968) 1 All NLR 377
Mariki v Adamu (2001) 15 NWLR (Part 737) 666
Military Governor of Ondo State v Adewunmi (1988) 3 NWLR (Part 82) 280
Mobil Oil (Nigeria) v F.B.I.R. (1977) 3 SC 53
Mogaji v Odofin (1978) 4 SC 91
Ogba v Onwuzu (2005) 6 SC (Part 1) 41
Ojokolobo & others v Lapade Alamu & another (1987) 3 NWLR (Part 61) 337
Okulate v Awosanya (2000) 2 NWLR (Part 696) 530
Olafisoye v F.R.N. (2004) 4 NWLR (Part 864) 580
Olufosoye v Olorunfemi (1989) 1 NWLR (Part 95) 25
Oniah v Onyiah (1989) 1 NWLR (Part 99) 514
Osadebey v Attorney-General Bendel State (1991) SCNJ 102
Osho v Phillips (1972) 4 SC 259, (1972) NSCC 172
PDP v INEC (1999) 11 NWLR (Part 626) 200
Rabiu v Kano State (1980) 8-11 SC 130; (1980) 2 SCNLR 293
Sanusi v Ameyogun (1992) 4 NWLR (Part 237) 527
Savannah Bank of Nigeria & another v Ammelo Ajilo & another (1987) 2 NWLR (Part 57) 42
NV Scheep v MVS Araz (2000) 15 NWLR (Part 691) 622
Seismograph Services Nigeria Ltd v Ogbeni (1976) All NLR 163
Shosimbo v State (1974) NSCC 387
Thomas v Olufosoye (1986) 1 NWLR (Part 18) 669
Trade Bank Plc v Chami (2003) NWLR (Part 836) 158
Ukaegbu v Attorney-General of Imo State (1983) 1 SCNLR 212
Uwaifo v Attorney-General of Bendel State (1982) 7 SC 124; (1982) 4 NCLR 1
Wambai v Kano Native Authority (1965) NMLR 15

Foreign
Amon v Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd (1956) 1 All ER 273
Benmax v Austin Motor Co Ltd (1955) AC 370; (1955) 1 All ER 326
Bradlaugh v Clarke (1883) 8 AC 354
Chiranji Lal v Union of India, A.R. 1951, 41
Cooper v Telfair 4Dal 14, IL.Ed. 721
Fairbank v United States 181 US 283, 21 Sct 648, 45 L.Ed 862
In re Maryon William's Will Trusts (1968) Ch. 268, 262
Lake County v Rollings 130 US 662 9 SCt 651
Luke v Inland Revenue Commissioners (1963) AC 577
Magor & St Melions Rural District Council v Newsport Corp (1951) 2 All ER 839
Martin v Hunter 1 Wheat 304, 4 LEd 97
Myers v United States 271 US 52
Re Cuno (1889) 43 Ch.D 12
Stephens v Cuckfield R.D.C. (1960) 2 QB 373
United States v Classic 313 US 299, SCt 1031, 85L.Ed 1368
United States v Lelkowitz 285 US 452, 52 SC 420, 761 L.Ed 877
United States v Sharpnack 335 US 286, 78 Sct 291
Victoria City Corp v Bishop of Vancouver Island (1921) 2 AC 384
Western Bank Ltd v Schindler (1977) 1 Ch 1
Wicks v DPP (1947) AC 362

Attorney-General of the Federation and 2 Others v Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria) and 3 Others (SC 31/2007) [2007] NGSC 179; (2007) 2 All N.L.R. 58

Summary case

Subscribe to our newsletter

Follow us on social media

Access and Shape African Law

About AfricanLII

African LIIs

Our Partners