A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has postponed proceedings in the case seeking the replacement of lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The case, which was filed by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo and two other applicants will now continue on April 30, 2025, when the court is expected to hear the adoption of the processes.
The applicants are asking the court to declare the seats of factional Speaker Martin Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers vacant. The request comes after the lawmakers announced their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). The applicants argue that their defection to a different political party should result in the loss of their seats.
During the court session on Monday, Professor Yusuf Ali (SAN), representing the applicants, told the court that the defense team, led by Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), had filed new counter-affidavits submitted through WhatsApp on February 15, 2025. Ali said his team responded to the new documents on February 17.
Ferdinand Orbih requested more time to go through the new documents which Justice Emmanuel Obile agreed to. He adjourned the case for further review. Justice Obile also mentioned that the court would wait for the decision of the Supreme Court on other related cases involving the Rivers State government before moving forward with this case.
Dagogo Iboroma (SAN), who represents the Rivers State Government, confirmed that the case concerns the defection of 27 lawmakers on December 11, 2023.
The Rivers State legislature has been in crisis since 2023, with two rival factions. One faction supports the current Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, while the other is loyal to Nyesom Wike, the former governor of the state and now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
