A High Court sitting in Rivers state has issued an interim order restraining the chief judge of the state, Simone Chibuzor, from acting on any resolution of pro-Wike state law makers that have served governor Fubara an impeachment notice. Ruling on the ex parte motion filed by the governor and the state Attorney-General, Jumbo Stephen, the court has also restrained the chief judge and clerk of the state assembly from recognising Martin Amaewhule and the 26 others.
Amaewhule is parading himself as the speaker of the 27 factional lawmakers that were earlier kicked from the assembly after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP into All progressive Congress, APC, and who are pro-Wike.
Other defendant in the case include; Victor Oko-Jumbo, Factional Speaker, Sokari Goodboy; Orubienimigha Anthony; and the PDP as a party.
Meanwhile, the court has ruled that all parties must maintain status-quo pending hearing and determination of the motion for an interlocutory injunction.
The Judge statement partly reads; “that an order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 31st and 32nd defendants from dealing or howsoever relating with the 1st-27th defendants as members of the Rivers state house of Assembly and from receiving, forwarding or howsoever acting on any resolutions, article of impeachment, or other defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filled herein”.
It added, “That the parties to this suit are hereby directed to maintain the status-quo ante litem in this suit as of 5th July, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filled herein”.
“An order is hereby made for substituted service of the originating and other process in this suit on the 1st -30th defendant by pasting the same at quarters opposite former NDDC headquarters, off Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State”.
The Judge fixed July 15, 2024, for the motion on notice for the interlocutory injunction.
Recall, on May 30th, the High Court Chief Judge, Charles Wali had restrained the lawmakers in Amaewhule faction from holding any legislative sitting anywhere including legislative quarters.
However, that order was overturn when the Appeal court on 4th July affirmed that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to sit over such issue, suggesting that such matter are only entertained by the Federal High Court.
