The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an interim injunction restraining the embattled Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and 24 others from parading themselves as members of the House. The court presided over by Hon. Justice Charles Wali, also restrained the affected lawmakers from meeting or sitting at the auditorium of the House of Assembly quarters, located off Aba Road, Port Harcourt, or any other place whatsoever, to carry out or purport to carry out the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as their legislative seats have been declared vacant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
Also joined as defendants in the suit were the Governor of Rivers State, the Attorney-General of Rivers State, and the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State.
The pro-Fubara Speaker Victor Oko Jumbo and three other Assembly members loyal to the state governor filed the interim injunction.
The order read: “An Order of interim injunction is granted restraining the 1st to 25th Defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of 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 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 Motion on Notice.
“An order of interim injunction is, hereby, made restraining the 26th to 28th Defendants from dealing with, interfacing, accepting any resolutions, bills and/or howsoever 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 Motion on Notice.
“It is further Ordered that this Order, the Motion on Notice and the writ and other processes, in this case, be served on the 1st to 25th defendants/respondents within seven (7) days from date by substituted means to wit: by pasting at the entrance gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Legislative Quarters, Off Aba Road, Port Harcourt and for such service to be deemed good and proper.”
