Appeal court reserves judgment in suit on Rivers assembly crisis

The court of appeal in Port Harcourt has reserved judgment in the suit on the ongoing Rivers state house of assembly crisis.

A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Jimi Bada, the presiding judge, said the date for judgment will be communicated to parties in the suit.

The appellate court gave the ruling after hearing the arguments of the parties during the proceedings conducted via Zoom on Thursday.

The appeal, which was filed by Martin Amaewhule, factional speaker of the Rivers state house of assembly, and 24 others, sought to vacate the order of a high court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, that restrained them from parading themselves as lawmakers.

On May 30, Charles Wali, the high court judge, restrained the lawmakers in Amaewhule’s faction from conducting legislative sittings anywhere, including within the legislative quarters.

The judge also restrained Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, from interfacing with or accepting resolutions and bills from the 25 lawmakers.

The suit was filed by Victor Oko Jumbo, a factional speaker, and two other lawmakers — Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy. The three legislators are loyal to Fubara.

The court also held that all of the laws made by Amaewhule and others were nullity until the matter was determined.

The appellants had asked the court to dismiss the judgment of the lower court and nullify the decisions taken by Jumbo’s faction.

On June 14, the appellate court ordered the parties involved in the assembly crisis to maintain the status quo.