THE Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, has issued an interim order prohibiting the pro-Wike Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 other members from representing themselves as lawmakers.
The interim injunction was filed by pro-Fubara Speaker Victor Jumbo and two other Assembly members who support Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Justice Charles Wali, who issued the order today in a case with suit number PHC/1512/CS/2024, ordering the 25 defendants from “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.
Following the Motion Ex Parte and hearing from Sammie A. Somiari, SAN, B.N.Owunabo, Esq., and others representing the Claimants/Applicants, Justice Wali ruled that Amaewhule should cease to serve as lawmakers.
Wali also ordered the state administration to stop dealing with the aforementioned lawmakers because their seats have been vacant since they defected from the Peoples’ Democratic Party, which produced them.
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 the 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, however, deferred the case until May 29 for a Motion on Notice.
Recall that 27 lawmakers from the State Assembly, led by Amaewhule, defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress during the state’s political crisis, which was sparked by a feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.
