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Nigeria leader 'is missing' call Triple trouble for Nigeria leader
(about 9 hours later)
A human rights group is urging Nigerian legislators to declare President Umaru Yar'Adua "missing" after six weeks in hospital in Saudi Arabia. Three legal challenges have been filed against Nigeria's President Umaru Yar'Adua, who has been in a Saudi hospital for the past six weeks.
The Human Rights Writers Association also wants the National Assembly to send out a search party for him. The Nigerian Bar Association is demanding that he hand over power to his deputy Goodluck Jonathan.
Judges are also due to hear two separate court cases over Mr Yar'Adua's protracted absence. The other suits say cabinet decisions made in his absence should be annulled and he should be sacked. And a rights group wants him declared "missing".
He has failed to hand over power to his deputy and so many Nigerians feel there is a power vacuum in the country. Many Nigerians are feeling there is a power vacuum in the country.
Rights lawyer and activist Femi Falana wants judges to annul all decisions taken by the cabinet during the president's absence. The Nigeria Bar Association asked the Federal High Court to compel the federal executive council to start the process of handing over power to Vice-President Jonathan.
In the other case, senior opposition activist Farouk Adamu Aliyu is asking the Federal High Court to sack the president due to his failing health and for failing to abide by the provisions of the constitution. The government asked for seven days to review the cases and the judge agreed, adjourning the hearing until 14 January to allow the three cases to be consolidated.
The National Assembly resumes on Tuesday after its Christmas break and will be faced with the request from the Human Rights Writers Association (Huriwa). Correspondents say the situation is complicated because of the system of alternating power between north and south.
The group wants Nigerians to recall their legislators if they fail to take action. Mr Yar'Adua is a northerner while Vice-President Jonathan is from the south so, if he were to assume presidential duties, this would shorten the north's "turn".
Doctors say the president is suffering from acute pericarditis - inflammation of the lining of the heart.Doctors say the president is suffering from acute pericarditis - inflammation of the lining of the heart.
He also has a long-standing kidney complaint.He also has a long-standing kidney complaint.
Complicated Search party
Rights lawyer and activist Femi Falana wants judges to annul all decisions taken by the cabinet during the president's absence.
In the other case, senior opposition activist Farouk Adamu Aliyu is asking the Federal High Court to sack the president due to his failing health and for failing to abide by the provisions of the constitution.
The National Assembly resumes on Tuesday after its Christmas break and will be faced with the request from the Human Rights Writers Association (Huriwa) to officially declare the president "missing".
It also wants the National Assembly to send out a search party for him and says Nigerians should recall their legislators if they fail to take action.
Last week, a new chief justice was sworn in despite Mr Yar'Adua's absence.Last week, a new chief justice was sworn in despite Mr Yar'Adua's absence.
Some lawyers have challenged this, as the constitution states that chief justice should take the oath of office to the president. Some lawyers have challenged this, as the constitution states that chief justices should take the oath of office to the president.
Instead, the ceremony was presided over by the outgoing chief justice, who denied the claims the ceremony was illegal. Instead, the ceremony was presided over by the outgoing chief justice. He denies claims that the ceremony was illegal.
Correspondents say the situation is complicated because of the Nigerian system of alternating power between north and south.
Mr Yar'Adua is a northerner, while Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan is from the south, so if he were to assume presidential duties, this would shorten the north's "turn".