Court Bars Pro-Wike Rivers Speaker, 24 Others from Legislative Functions

In a significant legal development, a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued a ruling preventing the Speaker of the state Assembly, aligned with Chief Nyesom Wike, and 24 other lawmakers from acting as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The court, responding to a petition filed by Victor Oko Jumbo, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, along with Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy, both members of the Assembly, took this decisive step.

Presiding Judge Charles N. Wali delivered the order after considering arguments presented by legal representatives of the claimants/applicants. The ruling specifically directs Martin Amaewhule and the other 24 lawmakers to refrain from exercising their legislative functions.

This legal dispute arose from the defection of Amaewhule and his colleagues from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The court’s decision mandates the Rivers State government to cease all interactions with these lawmakers as their seats have been declared vacant due to their defection.

Justice Wali’s order states, “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… pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

Furthermore, the order prohibits the 26th to 28th Defendants from engaging with the lawmakers whose seats were declared vacant. These directives remain in effect until further court proceedings.

Recall that Jumbo emerged as the speaker of the assembly members loyal to the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Fubara had previously declared that the APC lawmakers do not hold legitimacy in the eyes of the law.