Our reporter/ The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt on Friday granted an interim injunction restraining pro-Wike speaker of the state House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 other members from parading themselves as legislators.
The court directive prohibits them from convening or participating in any official meetings at the Assembly premises.
The court’s decision stems from an exparte order filed against the pro-Wike lawmakers by pro-Siminialayi Fubara speaker Victor Oko Jumbo and three others.
The interim injunction declares the seats of the 1st to 25th defendants vacant pending further legal proceedings.
Additionally, the court issued a restraining order, prohibiting Governor Fubara and the chief judge, who are the 26th and 28th defendants in the suit, from engaging with Amaewhule and his 25 loyalists.
This action is due to the defendants’ defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progress Congress (APC) on December 13, 2023.
The court also directed Amaewhule and the others to hand over all official documents within seven days. The case is adjourned until May 29 for a motion on notice.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has been embroiled in a crisis since last year which has seen the House balkanized into two, with some loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom, and others to Governor Fubara.
In December, the crisis took an interesting turn when 27 members led by Amaewhule defected from the PDP to the APC.
While the members loyal to Wike were led by Amaewhule as speaker, others loyal to Fubara were led by Edison Ehie as their speaker. The governor later appointed Ehie as his chief of staff, leading to his resignation.
However, things took another twist on Wednesday when the members loyal to Governor Fubara elected the member representing the Bonny constituency, Victor Oko-Jumbo, as their speaker.
Fubara issues executive order relocating Rivers assembly sitting to govt house
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara of Rivers has ordered immediate temporary relocation of the sitting of the State House of Assembly to the Auditorium, Admin Block of the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The order is contained in the State’s official Gazette, Executive Order of the Rivers State Government 001-2023.
According to the governor, the decision was taken because the current House of Assembly complex in its present state is unsafe and constitutes a threat to the lives of the staff and the lawmakers.
The governor’s gazette reads, “The On the 29th day of October 2023, a fire incident occasioned by unknown persons burnt and damaged the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“That the Hallowed Chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly in its present state is unsafe and constitutes a threat to the lives of the staff and the Honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly and Thus not conducive for the business and proceeding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“That it is expedient to carry out urgent repairs, renovation, and reconstruction of the burnt an damaged chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“That it is further reasonable to ensure that the business and proceedings of the Rivers State House of Assembly are not impeded and frustrated.
“NOW THEREFORE, I SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State this 30th day of October 2023, Pursuant to the powers vested in me under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) hereby ISSUE, ORDER, AND DIRECT that all proceedings and business of Rivers State House of Assembly shall temporarily take place at the Auditorium, Admin Block, Government House, Port Harcourt until the repairs, renovation or reconstruction of the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly are completed.”
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