Mohammed Shosanya
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an ex parte order barring the Chief Judge of the state and the Clerk of the State Assembly, from dealing with the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led lawmakers, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Justice Jumbo Stephen, also restrained the Chief Judge, Justice Simeon and the Clerk from endorsing any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or communications from them, before ordering all parties on the suit to maintain the status quo ante bellum that existed on July 5, 2024, until the motion for an interlocutory injunction is heard and determined.
The lawmakers,had in December 2023 defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), prompting a legal battle over the legitimacy of the lawmakers.
The affected lawmakers includes, 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 and Hon, Abbey Peter.
Others are Hon. Igwe – Obey Aforii, Hon. Justina Emeji, Hon. Ignatius Onwuka Defendants, Hon. Chimezie Nwankwo, Hon. Lemchi Prince Nyeche, Hon. Barile Nwakoh, Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi, Hon. Nkemjika Ezekwe, Hon. Davios Arnold Oxobiriari, Hon. Nwankwo Sylvanus, Hon. Gerald Oforii and Hon. Wami Solomon.
The court declaration reads: “That an Order of Interim Injunction is hereby made restraining the 31st and 32nd Defendants from dealing or howsoever relating with the 1st-27th Defendants as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and from receiving, forwarding or howsoever acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment or other documents or communication from the 1st — 27th Defendants, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.
“That the parties to this suit are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante in this suit as at 5th July 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.
“An order is hereby made for substituted service of the originating and other processes in this suit on the 1st— 30th Defendants by pasting the same at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters, opposite former NDDC headquarters, off Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“That this matter is hereby adjourned to the 15th day of July 2024 for the motion on notice for interlocutory”
In a separate development, an Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt on Monday, dismissed two appeals
marked CA/ PH/137M/2024 and CA/PH/145M/2024, filed by Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and six others, seeking the validation local government council chairmen tenure elongation by six months, following the expiration of their three-year term, which elapsed since last month.
The Appellate Court, during a virtual sitting, found the appeals to be lacking in merit and consequently struck them out.
