Fresh-Court-Order-Bars-Rivers-CJ,-House-Clerk-From-Acting-on-Resolutions-by-Defected-Lawmakers

Fresh Court Order Bars Rivers CJ, House Clerk From Acting on Resolutions by Defected Lawmakers

Wisdom Tide - 

08/07/2024

In a significant legal development, the High Court of Justice in Rivers State, under the stewardship of Justice Jumbo Stephen, has issued an interim injunction restraining the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Someone Amadi, from implementing any resolutions passed by 27 defected lawmakers. The court's order, dated July 8, 2024, similarly bars the Clerk of the State House of Assembly from acting on any resolutions proposed by these legislators.

The issue stems from the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, who shifted allegiance from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This political move has sparked a fierce legal confrontation concerning the legitimacy of their defection and their subsequent activities as lawmakers.

The court's order states:

• Interim Injunction: "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."

• Status Quo Maintenance: "The parties to this suit are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante in this suit as of July 5, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein."

• Substituted Service: "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."

The court adjourned the matter to July 15, 2024, for the hearing of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.

This legal action involves a considerable number of lawmakers, specifically:

1. Hon. Dumle Maol
2. Hon. Major Jack
3. Hon. Franklin Uchenna Nwabochi
4. Hon. Christopher Kagbang Ofiks
5. Hon. Azeru Opara
6. Hon. Enemi Alabo George
7. Hon. Granville Tekenari Wellington
8. Hon. Ngbar Bernard
9. Hon. John Dominic Iderima
10. Hon. Queen Uwuma Tony Williams
11. Hon. Loolo Isaiah Opuende
12. Hon. Abbey Peter
13. Hon. Igwe-Obey Aforii
14. Hon. Justina Emeji
15. Hon. Ignatius Onwuka
16. Hon. Chimezie Nwankwo
17. Hon. Lemchi Prince Nyeche
18. Hon. Barile Nwakoh
19. Hon. Emilia Lucky Amadi
20. Hon. Nkemjika Ezekwe
21. Hon. Davios Arnold Oxobiriari
22. Hon. Nwankwo Sylvanus
23. Hon. Gerald Oforii
24. Hon. Wami Solomon

This judicial intervention marks a critical juncture in the ongoing dispute over the political realignment within the Rivers State House of Assembly. The court's decision to halt the actions of the defected lawmakers and the response of the Chief Judge and the House Clerk will be pivotal in determining the future political landscape in Rivers State. The upcoming hearing on July 15, 2024, is expected to further clarify the court's stance on the matter and possibly set a precedent for similar cases in the future.