Nigerian Court Restrains 25 Rivers’ Lawmakers Who Defected To APC From Parading Themselves As Assembly Members

The order was granted by Justice C. N. Wali after hearing a motion on notice filed by Sammie A. Somiari, SAN, C. D. Kunchepon, Esq., O. V. Bodunde, Esq., K. O. Ogunjobi, Esq., B. S. Orupabo, Esq., O. J. Ilejika, Esq. and T. Aprioku, Esq for the interest of the Speaker of the assembly, Hon Victor Oko Jumbo; Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, and Hon Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy against 25 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in December 2023.

Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt on Thursday granted an interlocutory order to restrain 25 lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The order was granted by Justice C. N. Wali after hearing a motion on notice filed by Sammie A. Somiari, SAN, C. D. Kunchepon, Esq., O. V. Bodunde, Esq., K. O. Ogunjobi, Esq., B. S. Orupabo, Esq., O. J. Ilejika, Esq. and T. Aprioku, Esq for the interest of the Speaker of the assembly, Hon Victor Oko Jumbo; Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari, and Hon Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy against 25 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in December 2023.

The ruling was delivered on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

A copy of the court ruling seen by Flagnews reads: “An Order of Interlocutory Injunction is granted restraining the 1 to 25th Defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of the 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 at 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 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 howsoever interacting with the 1 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 substantive suit.

“That this case is adjourned to 1 July, 2024 for Mention.”

The 25 lawmakers are Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, Hon Dumle Maol, Hon Major Jack, Hon Franklin Uchenna Nwabochi, Hon Christopher Kagbang Ofiks, Hon Azeru Opara, Hon Enemi Alabo George, Hon Granville Tekenari Wellington, Hon Nobar Bernard, Hon John Dominic Iderima, Hon Queen Uwuma Tony Williams, Hon Loolo Isaiah Opuende, Hon Abbey Peter, Hon Igwe-Obey Aforji, Hon Justina Emeji, Hon Ignatius Onwuka, Hon Chimezie Nwankwo, Hon Lemchi Prince Nyeche, and Hon Barile Nwakon

Others are Hon Emilia Lucky Amadi, Hon Nkemjika Ezekwe, Hon Davids Arnold Okobiriari, Hon Nwankwo Sylvanus, Hon Gerald Oforji and Hon Wame Solomon.

There have been a series of controversies surrounding the membership of the 25 lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the APC.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, had also said that the 25 lawmakers must obey the court order that restrained them from parading themselves as lawmakers.

He said the lawmakers can only persuade the court to review the case or go back to the people and let the people renew their mandate.

Falana said that the 25 lawmakers who had threatened to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara, were either not properly guided or advised.