Rivers State High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, has issued an interlocutory injunction, barring factional Speaker, Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers from further sitting and parading themselves as members of the state House of Assembly.
Justice C.N. Wali issued the order in a lawsuit filed by lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, and two others, Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy against 25 lawmakers as defendants (1st to 25th) and additionally listed the Rivers State Governor, Attorney-General, and Chief Judge as defendants (26th to 28th) in the legal action.
On May 10, the court had issued an interim order, based on an ex-parte motion, prohibiting the Governor, Attorney-General, and Chief Judge from having any dealings with the lawmakers in question.
Granting the interlocutory injunction, the court said: “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 off 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 however 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.”
Justice Wali adjourned the matter to July 1, 2024 for mention.