High Court of Rivers State in Port Harcourt, Thursday, May 30, declared the seats of 25 lawmakers, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the All Progressives Congress (APC), vacant pending the determination of a suit filed before it.
The court also ordered Hon. Martin Amaewhule, to stop parading himself as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and equally bared the remaining 24 from posing as lawmakers in the state.
The Court presided over by Justice Charles Wali, gave the order in Suit No PHC/1512/CS/2024, brought by Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, Speaker of the House Of Assembly; Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari and Hon. Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy, on the political crises rocking the legislative arm of the state.
Hearing on the matter was adjourned to 1st July, 2024 for mention.
The defendants in the case are Hons. Martin Chike Amaewhule (the former Speaker), John Dominic Iderima, Queen Uwuma Tony Williams, Loolo Isaiah Opuende, Abbey Peter, Igwe-obey Aforji, Justina Emeji, Ignatius Onwuka, Chimezie Nwankwo, Lemchi Prince Nyeche, Barile Nwakoh, Emilia Lucky Amadi, Nkemjika Ezekwe, Davids Arnold Okobiriari, Nwankwo Sylvanus, Gerald Oforji, and Wami Solomon.
Others include: Dumle Maol, Major Jack, Franklin Uchenna Nwabochi, Christopher Kagbang Ofiks, Azeru Opara, Enemi Alabo George, Granville Tekenari Wellington, and Ngbar Bernard.
Also, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, were listed as the second set of defendants (nominal defendants) in the suit.
Justice Wali, while granting the Interlocutory injunction, ordered that the 25 lawmakers, who are pro-Minister of the Federal Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediate-past governor of the state, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, from parading themselves as lawmakers, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The Court ordered as follows: “An Order of Interlocutory Injunction is granted restraining the 1st to 25th Defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and/or meeting/sitting at the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters located at Aba Road, Port Harcourt or at 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 substantive suit.
“An Order of Interlocutory 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 Descendants 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 substantive suit.
“That this case is adjourned to 1st July, 2024 for Mention”.
