A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has ordered the seats of 25 members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) void pending the outcome of a matter before it.
The court also ordered the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule to cease acting as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and barred the 24 members, all of whom are opposed to the state’s governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from posing as lawmakers in the state.
Justice Charles Wali issued the order in Suit No. PHC/1512/CS/2024, filed by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, and Hon. Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy, about the state’s legislative arm problems.
The 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, and 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, and Hon. Nwankwo Sylvanus Hon. Gerald Oforji and Wami Solomon.
Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi, are the second set of defendants in the case.
Wali directed in the Interlocutory Order that the parliamentarians who support Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, refrain from parading as lawmakers until the main case is resolved.
The order read, “An Order of Interlocutory Injunction is granted restraining the 1” to 25th Defendants from parading land holding out themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and/or meeting or 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 with, 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 December 13, 2023, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
“That this case is adjourned to July 1, 2024, for mention.”
