ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has declared the seats of 25 lawmakers, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), vacant pending the outcome of a suit before it.
The court also ordered Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule to stop parading as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Vanguard reports that the 24 other lawmakers, all opponents of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, have been barred from posing as legislators in the state.
Hon. Justice Charles Wali issued the order in Suit No PHC/1512/CS/2024, brought by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, along with Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari and Hon. Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy, concerning the ongoing legislative crisis.
The defendants in the case include 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, Hon. John Dominic Iderima, Hon. Queen Uwuma Tony Williams.
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Others are; 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, Hon. Nwankwo Sylvanus, Hon. Gerald Oforji, and Wami Solomon.
Fubara, and the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi, are also named as defendants in the suit.
In the Interlocutory Order, Justice Wali directed that the lawmakers, who support Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, must stop presenting themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly until the substantive case is resolved.
The order 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 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 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.”
The case has been adjourned to July 1, 2024, for mention.