A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt issued an injunction directing the two groups in the Rivers State House of Assembly to maintain the status quo and stop further deliberations awaiting the outcome of their court challenge.
Platinum Times recalls that the Rivers State House of Assembly has been facing a leadership crisis since the former leadership of the House attempted to impeach the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, which resulted in the removal of the former speaker and the election of Ehie Edison in his place.
Edison had petitioned the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Phoebe Ayua, in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/240/2023, asking the court to prevent Amaewhule and the other lawmakers from presiding over the proceedings of the state’s legislative arm.
The new Speaker and the House of Assembly filed the notice alongside the main suit.
According to the suit, the plaintiffs are the Rivers State House of Assembly and Ehie Ogerenye Edison (Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly), while the defendants are Martins Chike Amaewhule (former Speaker), Dumle Maol (former Deputy Speaker), the Inspector-General of Police, the Director of the Department of State Security Services in Rivers State, and the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.
In deciding on the application, Justice Ayua directed that none of the parties on record take any action because all parties are required to respect the court.
The order reads in part:
“That an order is made directing the plaintiffs/applicants to put the respondents on notice forthwith.
“That an order is, however, made, directing that all parties on record respect the court and should not take any step concerning the subject matter, since the matter is already before this court—sub judice—pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
In the suit, the new speaker and the House of Assembly itself sought, amongst others, a declaration that the former speaker and his former deputy, having been removed and suspended from the House, are not entitled to participate, disturb, interfere, or obstruct the performance of the legislative proceedings of the House and the legislative duties of the new speaker in accordance with the provisions of sections 90 to 104 of the Constitution of Nigeria.
They also sought an order restraining the former two principal officers of the House from interfering with or participating in the functions of the House of Assembly.
After entering the order, the court fixed November 27 for a hearing.