Rivers crisis: Court bars 25 pro-Wike lawmakers from legislative business

A state high court in Port Harcourt has restrained 25 members of the Rivers house of assembly from parading themselves as lawmakers.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Charles Wali, the presiding judge, restrained the lawmakers 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, factional speaker, and two other lawmakers — Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy. The trio are loyal to Fubara.

Those listed as defendants in the suit are Martin Amaewhule, Dumle Maol, Major Jack, Franklin Nwabochi, Christopher Ofiks, Azeru Opara, Enemi George, Granville Wellington, Ngbar Bernard, John Iderima, Queen Williams, Loolo Opuende, Abbey Peter, Igwe-Obey Aforji, Justina Emeji, Ignatius Onwuka, Chimezie Nwanko, Lemchi Nyeche, Barile Nwakohm, Emilia Amadi, Nkemjika Ezekwe, Davids Okobiriari, Nwankwo Sylvanus, Gerald Oforji, and Wami Solomon.

Fubara, Rivers attorney-general, and the state’s chief judge, were listed as 26th to 28th defendants.

“An Order of Interlocutory Injunction is granted restraining the 1st 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 Old 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 substantive suit,” the judge ruled.

“An Order of Interlocutory Injunction is at this moment made restraining the 26th to the 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 have also been declared vacant with effect from 13th December, 2023 pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

The case was adjourned to July 1, 2024, for mention.

BACKGROUND 

The Rivers assembly has been polarised since 2023, following the rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

In December 2023, 27 members of the assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Rivers assembly has 32 seats. One of the lawmakers, Dinebari Loolo, died in September 2023.

In October 2023, Ehie Edison was elected speaker of the factional assembly, after his removal as house leader by members led by Amaewhule — amid the plot to impeach Fubara.

Edison later resigned as lawmaker to become chief of staff to the governor.

The lawmakers in the Amaewhule-led faction are loyal to Wike.

Recently, Jumbo, the lawmaker representing Bonny constituency, was elected factional speaker.