OGUNTADE, JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): The appellant, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai was the plaintiff before the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/70/2002. He brought before the said court an originating summons against the respondents as the defendants seeking the determination of the following questions:
“(i) Whether having regard to the provisions of section 4(2), (3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 which confer legislative powers on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, it is part of their constitutional duty and powers to investigate as contained in their letter ref. No. NASS. CHR/116/11 dated 20th March, 2002 to the plaintiff and signed by the 3rd defendant issues of alleged defamatory statements by the plaintiff.
(ii) Whether having regard to the provisions of sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 which confer powers on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants to conduct investigations and pow…