A RIVERS State High Court in Port Harcourt on Friday, May 12, restrained the factional Speaker of the state House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, and the 24 other lawmakers that defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on which platform they were elected, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Justice Charles N. Wali gave the order in a case, marked suit number PHC/1512/CS/2024, filled by Victor Oko-Jumbo (factional Speaker), Sokari Goodboy, Orubienimigha Timothy and members of the Assembly against Martin Amaewhule (another factional Speaker) and the 24 others, the Governor of Rivers State, Attorney General of the state and the state Chief Judge (CJ).
After hearing of a motion ex parte by from Sammie A. Somiari (SAN), B. N. Owunabo and others for the claimants/applicants, the court ordered that Amaewhule and others should cease acting as lawmakers.
The Judge also ordered the Rivers State Government to stop dealing with the said lawmakers, as their seats have remained vacant following their defected from the PDP to APC.
The order read: “An Order of interim injunction is granted restraining the 1st to 25th Defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of Rivers State House of Assembly and/or meeting/sitting at the auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters located at off Aba Road, Port Harcourt, or any other place whatsoever to purport to carry out the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
“An order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 26th to 28th Defendants from dealing with, interfacing, accepting any resolutions, Bills and/or howsoever interacting with the 1st to 25th Defendants in their purported capacities as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant with effect from 13th December, 2023, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
“It is further ordered that this Order, the Motion on Notice and the writ and other processes in this case, be served on the 1st to 25th defendants/respondents within seven (7) days from date by substituted means to wit: by pasting at the entrance gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Legislative Quarters, Off Aba Road, Port Harcourt and for such service to be deemed good and proper.”
The court then adjourned until May 29 for Motion on Notice.
