Court Declares 25 Rivers Assembly Seats Vacant

On Thursday, a High Court in Port Harcourt ruled that the seats of 25 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are vacant. This decision is pending the resolution of an ongoing suit.

Justice Charles Wali issued the order in Suit No. PHC/1512/CS/2024, filed by Victor Jumbo, Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, along with Sokari Sokari and Orubienimigha Timothy, in light of the current crisis within the state assembly.

The court also instructed Martin Amaewhule, the factional speaker of the house, to cease claiming the position of speaker.

Additionally, the court prohibited the 24 defected lawmakers from acting as members of the state assembly.

“An Order of Interlocutory Injunction is granted restraining the first to 25th defendants from parading themselves as members of the Rivers House of Assembly and/or meeting/sitting at the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters located at Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

“Their legislative seats are hereby 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 interacting with the first to 25th defendants in their purported capacities as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Their legislative seats have been declared vacant effective December 13, 2023, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

“This case is adjourned to July 1, 2024, for mention,” the court held.

NAN