THE Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, July 4, dismissed the order of a Rivers High Court restraining Martin Amaewhule and 24 others from parading themselves as lawmakers of the state House of Assembly.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in the appeal, marked: CA/PH/198/2024, the pro-Wike lawmakers urged the appellate court to stay the execution of the lower court judgement and to invalidate all the legislative actions that have been taken by the Jumbo-led Assembly.
The lawmakers, who won their elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had on December 11, 2023, announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Subsequently, the Assembly, led by the then Speaker, Edison Ehie, on December 13, last year, declared their seats vacant due to their defection.
But a three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Jimi Olukayode-Bada, held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, as such matters can only be heard and determined by a Federal High Court.
It, therefore, invalidated all the restraining orders that were issued against the defected lawmakers by the high court.
The appeal, which was filed by the factional speaker of the Assembly, Amaewhule, and 24 others, sought to vacate the order of the lower court in Port Harcourt restraining them from parading themselves as lawmakers.
Recall that on May 30, Justice Charles Wali, granted the order restrained the lawmakers in Amaewhule’s faction from conducting legislative sittings anywhere, including within the legislative quarters, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara from interfacing with or accepting Resolutions and Bills from 25 lawmakers.
The suit was filed by a factional speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and two other lawmakers, Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy, who are loyal to Fubara.
The court also held that all of the laws made by Amaewhule and others would amount to a nullity until the matter was determined.
