A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has adjourned proceedings to April 30, 2025, for the adoption of processes in a case filed by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, and two others.
The applicants are seeking a declaration that the seats of embattled Speaker Martin Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers be declared vacant following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
During the hearing, the applicants’ lead counsel, Prof. Yusuf Ali (SAN), informed the court that the defense team, led by Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), had filed new counter-affidavits via WhatsApp on February 15. He noted that his team had filed a response on February 17.
Orbih requested an adjournment to allow sufficient time to review the extensive filings, a request that Justice Emmanuel Obile granted. The judge stated that the court would await the Supreme Court’s decision on related cases involving the Rivers State government before proceeding.
Counsel for the Rivers State Government, Dagogo Iboroma (SAN), confirmed the adjournment and highlighted that the case revolves around the December 11, 2023, defection of the 27 lawmakers.
