The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has declared the seats of 25 lawmakers vacant.
These lawmakers had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. This decision will stand until a pending suit is resolved.
The court also instructed Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule to cease acting as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Additionally, the 24 lawmakers who oppose Governor Siminalayi Fubara have been barred from representing themselves as legislators in the state.
The ruling was issued by Hon. Justice Charles Wali in response to Suit No PHC/1512/CS/2024. The suit was filed by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, the current Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, along with Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari and Hon. Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy. The suit addresses the ongoing conflicts within the state’s legislative body.
Among the defendants are 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, 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.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi, are also named as defendants in this case.
In his interlocutory order, Justice Wali directed the lawmakers supporting Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to refrain from presenting themselves as legislators until the main case is decided.
The order stated: “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 further mention.