A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, has barred 25 lawmakers, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from performing their legislative duties, pending the determination of a suit before it.
The court gave the order on the suit brought before it by Victor Jumbo, Speaker, Rivers State House Of Assembly, Goodboy Sokari and Orubienimigha Timothy, following the crises rocking the legislative arm of the state.
The court, however, ordered the Martin Amaewhule, to stop parading as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and bared the 24 lawmakers, who are all Anti-Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of the state, from posing as lawmakers in the state.
Justice Charles Wali, who gave the order on Thursday in Suit No PHC/1512/CS/2024, stated that the order against the lawmakers, who are Pro-Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, would remain untill all suit against them have been addressed through the court.
Defendants in the cases were Martin Amaewhule, Dumle Jack, Franklin Nwabochi, Christopher Ofiks, Azeru Opara, Enemi Alabo George, Granville Wellington, Ngbar Bernard, and John Iderima.
Others were: Queen Williams, loolo Opuende, Abbey Peter, Igwe-obey Aforji, Justina Emeji, Ignatius Onwuka, Chimezie Nwankwo, Lemchi Nyeche, Barile Nwakoh, Emilia Amadi, Nkemjika Ezekwe, Davids Okobiriari, Nwankwo Sylvanus, Gerald Oforji, and Wami Solomon.
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Chief Judge Of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi, are the second set of defendants in the suit.
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/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 1at 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.”
