From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The political crisis in Rivers State took another dimension on Friday with a court order restraining the 25 members of the state House of Assembly led by Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule from parading themselves as lawmakers in the state.
Justice C. N. Wali of the state High Court in an exparte order issued on May 10, 2024 also stopped them from sitting in the Assembly auditorium.
The Speaker of the State House Of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo and two others – Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, and Hon. Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy, had dragged the 25 lawmakers before the court seeking an order stopping them from parading themselves as lawmakers of the state Assembly.
After listening to the exparte motion marked suit: PHC/1512/CS/2024 and moved by Sammie A. Somiari, SAN, Justice Wali held: “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 days from date by substituted means to wit: of 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 case has been adjourned to the 29th May, 2024 for the hearing of the motion on notice.