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RIVERS HIGH COURT DECLARES 25 ASSEMBLY MEMBERS’ SEATS VACANT, APPEAL COURT TAKES DECISION MONDAY
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has declared the seats of the 25 lawmakers, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, vacant pending the determination of a suit before it.
The court, however, ordered the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, to stop parading as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and bared the 24 lawmakers, who are all Anti-Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of the state, from posing as lawmakers in the state.
Hon. Justice Charles Wali gave the order in Suit No PHC/1512/CS/2024, brought by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, Speaker, Rivers State House Of Assembly, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari and Hon. Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy, on the crises rocking the legislative arm of the state.
Defendants in the cases are Hon.martin Chike Amaewhule, Hon. Dumle Maol Hon. Major Jack, Hon. Franklin Uchenna Nwabochi, Hon.christopher Kagbang Ofiks, Hon. Azeru Opara, Hon. Enemi Alabo George, Hon.Granville Tekenari Wellington, Hon. Ngbar Bernard, Hon. John Dominic Iderima.
Others are: Hon.queen Uwuma Tony Williams, Hon.loolo Isaiah Opuende, Hon.abbey Peter, Hon. Igwe-obey Aforji, Hon. Justina Emeji, Hon. Ignatius Onwuka, Hon.chimezie Nwankwo, Hon. Lemchi Prince Nyeche, Hon. Barile Nwakoh, Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi, Hon. Nkemjika Ezekwe, Hon. Davids Arnold Okobiriari, Hon. Nwankwo Sylvanus Hon. Gerald Oforji, and Wami Solomon.
The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Honourable Chief Judge Of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi, are the second set of defendants in the suit.
Wali in the Interlocutory Order, ordered that the lawmakers, who are Pro-Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, from parading as lawmakers to the determination of the substantive case.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt had adjourned to Monday the 3rd of June to rule on the applications brought before it by Rt. Hon. Martins Chike Amaewhule & 24 Ors Vs Victor Oko Jumbo & 5 Ors. against the decision of a Rivers State High Court stopping them from parading as members of the State Assembly.
This follows a suit filed by the pro-Fubara faction of the Assembly, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the respondents had filed a counter, the court directed the plaintiff to respond between Thursday and noon Friday and show proof of service to the respondents through any means even though via WhatsApp and also directed the respondents to respond if any, by Monday morning before the resumed hearing.
Counsel to the plaintiff had told the court to consolidate all the applications before it, following Wednesday’s interlocutory injunction issued by a Rivers High Court judge despite the pendency of the appeal before a superior court.
The three-man panel of justices adjourned to the 3rd of June to hear and rule on all applications. ahead of the resumed hearing and ruling on the application..
Recall that the Rivers State High Court, presided over by Justice C.N. Wali, had issued an ex parte order restraining Amaewhule and the 24 others from parading themselves as members of the House of Assembly and holding any sessions.
Amaewhule and the 24 pro-Wike lawmakers appealed against the ex parte order, requesting the Appeal Court to vacate it and dismiss the suit During the resumed hearing on Thursday, the respondents, Oko-Jumbo and others, filed a counter-application.
The court then directed the plaintiff to respond by 12 noon, Friday, May 31, 2024, and to show proof of service to the respondents through any means, including WhatsApp.
Counsel for the plaintiffs requested the court to consolidate all the applications before it, following the interlocutory injunction issued by the Rivers State High Court despite the pending appeal.
