Rivers State High Court Declares Seats of 25 Defected Lawmakers Vacant

Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has granted an order restraining Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers from parading and holding themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

To recall, the Court barred the 25 lawmakers because they defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on March 10, 2024.

While the was adjourned to 29th of May for Motion on Notice, which was heard on Wednesday (yesterday), the court adjourned to 1st July 2024 for a motion hearing.

However, the Presiding Judge, Justice Charles N. Wali, maintained the last order, one that stipulated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the State Attorney General of Rivers State, and the Chief Judge of Rivers State, who are the 26th to 28th defendants in the suit, are restrained from dealing with, interfacing with, or accepting any resolution, bill, or other action from Amaewhule and the 24 others.

Justice Wali, ruling on a suit filed by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Adolphus-Timothy as claimants, also restrained Amaewhule and the 24 others from sitting in the auditorium of the House of Assembly quarters, or at any other place to carry out any legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

In addition, the court also declared Amaewhule’s and the 24 others’ seats vacant pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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