Justice Dongban-Mensem Appoints Special Appeal Panel for Rivers State Political Crisis.
In a significant development aimed at addressing the escalating political tensions in Rivers State, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, has appointed a three-member special panel to oversee all appeals related to the ongoing disputes in the state.
The decision comes amidst a series of legal battles, including a prominent case involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Special Panel to Handle Complex Political Disputes
The newly constituted special panel is set to be led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, with Justices Misitura Bolaji-Yusuf and James Abundaga joining as members. The panel’s first hearing is scheduled for Thursday, signaling a swift move to address the legal issues that have compounded the political situation in Rivers State.
The appointment of this special panel underscores the seriousness of the cases at hand, particularly as they involve high-profile political entities. Justice Dongban-Mensem’s decision to form a dedicated panel highlights the complexity and urgency of resolving the disputes that have caused a political impasse in the state.
Adjournment of Cases to Special Panel
On Monday, the Court of Appeal adjourned three pivotal cases to be heard by the newly established panel. Justice Hamma Barka, who initially presided over the appeals, cited incomplete service to some of the defendants as the reason for the adjournment.
Addressing the court, Justice Barka asked Paul Erokoro (SAN), the lawyer representing the appellant, about his preferred method of service for the unserved defendants.
Paul Erokoro, representing the Rivers State Government in its case against the Rivers State House of Assembly and other involved parties, confirmed to the court that efforts were underway to serve the remaining parties. He highlighted that the primary appeal, marked as CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/1211m1/2024, has been referred to the special panel due to the intricate legal issues at play.
Appeal Hearing Rescheduled to November 14
Erokoro informed the court that several respondents had recently submitted legal documents, necessitating a response on his part. He requested an adjournment of the hearing to November 14 to ensure adequate preparation and a comprehensive review of the new submissions.
Senior advocates Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), representing the first and second respondents, and Dr. Joshua Musa (SAN), representing respondents three through twelve, both consented to the new hearing date. Following their agreement, the court officially postponed the session to November 14.
Additional Appeals Set for Special Panel Hearing
In addition to the primary appeal involving the Rivers State Government, two other significant cases have been scheduled for the special panel’s review on Thursday.
One of the appeals, filed by the Accountant General of Rivers State against the House of Assembly and ten additional respondents, is marked as CA/ABJ/CV/1222m1/2024.
The second involves the Action Peoples Party (APP) against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and twenty-eight other respondents, marked as CA/ABJ/CV/1208/2024.
The formation of this special panel is expected to expedite the resolution of these complex cases, potentially easing the political crisis in Rivers State.
Ejes Gist News understands that as the hearings progress, all eyes will be on the Court of Appeal to see how it navigates the intricate legal landscape and the implications of its rulings on the political future of Rivers State.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Ejes Gist News.
