Rivers Assembly crisis: Court declares seats of pro-Wike lawmakers vacant

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted an order of interlocutory injunction restraining Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers from parading and holding themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The court, presided over by Justice C.N. Wali, also issued an interlocutory injunction against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the State Attorney General of Rivers State, and the Chief Judge of Rivers State, who are the 26th to 28th defendants in the suit.

They are restrained from dealing with, interfacing, or accepting any resolution, bill, or other actions from Amaewhule and the 24 others.

Justice Wali, ruling on a suit filed by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Adolphus-Timothy as claimants, restrained Amaewhule and the 24 others from sitting in the auditorium of the House of Assembly quarters, or at any other place to carry out any legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

News Telly reports that the court also declared the seats of Amaewhule and the 24 others vacant pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The matter was adjourned to 1st July 2024 for a motion hearing.