Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The unfolding political fued in Rivers State between the State House of Assembly and Governor Fubara, Friday, took a sudden twist, as a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, barred the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 other pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Amaewhule and his 24 colleagues loyal to Wike had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that brought them to power, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The three lawmakers loyal to Gov. Fubara – Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo (Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly); Hon. Sokari Goodboy; and Hon. Orubienimigha Timothy, filed a suit against 25 pro-Wike lawmakers.
They also joined Governor Fubara, the Attorney General of the state and the Chief Judge of the state.
The suit marked PHC/1512/CS/2024, was brought before Hon. Justice Charles N. Wali who gave the interim order restraining the 24 lawmakers.
Justice Wali following the Motion Ex-parte and after hearing from Sammie A. Somiari, SAN with B.N.Owunabo, Esq. and others for the Claimants/Applicants entered that Amaewhule and his group should stop acting as lawmakers.
The Court also ordered that the government of the state should stop dealing with the said lawmakers as their seats have remained vacant after they defected from the PDP that produced them.
The order read: “An Order of interim injunction is granted restraining the 1st to 25th Defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of 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 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 Motion on Notice.
“An Order of interim 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 Motion on Notice.
“It is further Ordered that this Order, the Motion on Notice and the writ and other processes in this case be served on the 1st to 25th Defendants/Respondents within seven (7) days from date by substituted means to wit: by pasting at the entrance gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Legislative Quarters, Off Aba Road, Port Harcourt and for such service to be deemed good and proper.”
The court adjourned the case till May 29, 2024, for Motion on Notice.
Fubara had yesterday paid unscheduled visit to the legislative quarters, saying he visited to ascertain the condition of the buildings.
But sensing danger, Amaewhule had cried foul saying that the quarters built two years ago were still in good condition and needed no renovation.
There are fears that the State Government might embark on renovation of the quarters as a ploy to dislodge the pro-Wike lawmakers.
