National
Court Restrains Pro-Wike Lawmakers From Parading As Assembly Members
By Peters Monday, Abuja
The Rivers State High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, has issued an interim injunction barring a group of lawmakers led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule from participating in Assembly activities or presenting themselves as members of the state legislature. The order was granted in a suit filed by a rival group of lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminilayi Fubara, comprising Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, and Orubienimigha Timothy.
The suit named 25 lawmakers as defendants, along with the Rivers State Governor, Attorney-General, and Chief Judge as additional defendants. On May 10th, the court had issued a similar order restraining the Governor, Attorney-General, and Chief Judge from interacting with the affected lawmakers.
In its ruling on May 29th, the court, presided over by Justice C.N. Wali, granted the interim injunction and adjourned the case until July 1st, 2024, for further mention.
The court ordered:
” The 1st to 25th defendants (lawmakers) are restrained from parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly or conducting legislative business at the Assembly complex or any other location.
“The 26th to 28th defendants (Governor, Attorney-General, and Chief Judge) are restrained from interacting with the 1st to 25th defendants in their purported capacities as lawmakers, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
This development comes after the legislative seats of the affected lawmakers were declared vacant by another Court.