Musawa Local Government Area will receive a funding of ₦290 million from the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy for the installation of solar street lights. President Bola Tinubu signed the ministry’s 2024 budget earlier this year, including the specific provision. It was reported that the ministry allocated ₦3.7 billion towards research and development. Furthermore, the budget includes a provision of ₦98 million for the Construction of a Nigerian pavilion at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival in France.
Equally, the ministry allocated ₦150 million for an art Culture information desk and ₦26 million for various expenses like refreshments and publicity at the Abuja International Airport. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu established the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy to support the development of the creative industry. However, President Bola Tinubu’s selection of Musawa as the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy has been confirmed by the Federal High Court in Abuja, heeding to the decision.
The court determined that the case lacked merit.
Justice James Omotosho delivered a ruling stating that the plaintiffs did not have the legal standing to bring their case to court. The court determined that the case lacked merit, despite the plaintiffs having the legal right to bring it forward. President Tinubu selected Musawa and several other minister-designates for Senate confirmation on July 27, 2023. Musawa officially took office as minister on August 21, 2023, after completing her screening process on August 1, 2023. Upon her appointment, rumours circulated that the minister, hailing from Katsina State, was actively engaged in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Federal High Court’s Justice Omotosho was faced with a case brought by the Incorporated Trustees of Concerned Nigeria, Chief Dr. Patrick Eholor, and Thomas Marcus as the 1st to 3rd plaintiffs. This situation has prompted legal action to address the matter at hand. President Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Musawa were named as the 1st to 3rd defendants in a case filed on August 30, 2023, with reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/1198/23. The court was asked to decide if Musawa, a serving corps member, was disqualified from becoming a federal minister based on the provisions of the NYSC Act and Bye-Laws.
They have requested an order to void the minister’s swearing-in.
More so, the plaintiffs asked the court to clarify if the requirements for a House of Representatives member align with those needed for appointing the 3rd defendant, Musawa, as a minister, as outlined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). They stress the essential nature of these qualifications for her to serve as a federal minister in Nigeria. The plaintiffs are seeking to invalidate the initial recommendation, appointment, and swearing-in of Musawa as a minister as well as nullify the resolution. They have also requested an order to void the minister’s swearing-in.
Moreover, they are seeking a court order to nullify all actions she has taken in her official capacity as a minister since being sworn in, until the Lawsuit is resolved. The plaintiffs are seeking the court order to award them ₦100 million in general damages from all the defendants. They argued in their official declaration that the Senate had mistakenly examined Musawa’s appointment as a minister in charge of the Ministry of Culture. On February 15, the 1st and 2nd defendants submitted a joint preliminary objection seeking the lawsuit’s dismissal citing jurisdictional issues.
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Additionally, Musawa’s appointment was confirmed to be in compliance with current regulations, as she underwent proper nomination, Senate screening, and presidential appointment. Their argument states that the 1st defendant is legally allowed to appoint a current NYSC member as a minister without any obstacles. In addition, they argued that the sole condition is equivalent to that of an individual seeking election as a House of Representatives member. Their argument was that having an NYSC certificate or finishing the NYSC program should not be considered a primary requirement for being appointed as a minister. They requested the court to reject the lawsuit because they believed the plaintiffs were not qualified to bring this legal challenge.