Court Bars Lawmakers Loyal to Wike from Parading Themselves as Rivers State House of Assembly Members

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High Court Issues Interlocutory Injunction Against Faction of Lawmakers in Rivers State.

Port Harcourt – The State High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has issued an interlocutory injunction preventing a faction of lawmakers led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule from sitting and parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This faction is known for its allegiance to former governor and current FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

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The injunction was granted by Justice C.N. Wali in response to a lawsuit filed by pro-Governor Siminilayi Fubara lawmakers, led by their Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, alongside Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy. The lawsuit names 25 lawmakers as the primary defendants and includes the Governor of Rivers State, the Attorney-General, and the Chief Judge as the 26th to 28th defendants.

Background

On May 10th, the court had previously issued a similar ex-parte order, barring the governor, attorney-general, and chief judge from interacting with the affected lawmakers. The latest interlocutory injunction reinforces the earlier order and sets a new court date for July 1st, 2024, for further proceedings.

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Court’s Ruling

 

Justice Wali’s ruling states:

“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 off 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.

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An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby made restraining the 26th to 28th defendants from dealing with, interfacing, accepting any resolutions, bills and/or however 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 substantive suit.”

Implications

This ruling effectively prevents the faction loyal to Nyesom Wike from conducting any legislative activities or presenting themselves as legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly until the substantive suit is resolved. The court’s decision aims to maintain the status quo and prevent further escalation of the political conflict within the state’s legislative body.

The case will be revisited on July 1st, 2024, for further legal proceedings, where the court will continue to deliberate on the substantive issues of the suit.

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The interlocutory injunction underscores the ongoing political tensions within Rivers State, highlighting the clash between factions loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike and the current administration under Governor Siminilayi Fubara. As the legal battle continues, the court’s decision will play a crucial role in determining the future composition and operations of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

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