Fresh twist as Rivers court issues injunction against recognizing Amaewhule-led Assembly

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on Monday, issued an ex-parte order of interim injunction prohibiting the Chief Judge of the state and the Clerk of the state House of Assembly from recognizing the Martins Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly.

Justice Jumbo Stephen issued the order, which also barred them from dealing with Amaewhule and 26 others as members of the Assembly or acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or communications from them.

The suit, identified as PHC/2177/CS/2024, was filed by the Attorney General of the state and Governor Siminialayi Fubara as plaintiffs against Amaewhule and 26 others as the first set of defendants, and Victor Oko-Jumbo, the CJ of the State, the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, and the Peoples Democratic Party {PDP} as the second set of defendants.

The court directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante litem as of July 5, 2024, until the motion for an interlocutory injunction is heard and decided.

Read also: Rivers Assembly gives Gov Fubara 7 days to resubmit 2024 budget

According to the court’s order, “An order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 31st and 32nd defendants from dealing or howsoever relating with the first to 27th defendants as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and from receiving, forwarding or howsoever acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment or order of the defendants pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein. That the parties to this suit are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante litem in this suit as at 5th July 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.”

Furthermore, the court ordered for substituted service of the originating and other processes in the suit on the 1st to 30th defendants by posting the documents at Quarters, opposite former NDDC headquarters, off Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The court adjourned the hearing of the motion on notice for Interlocutory injunction until July 15, 2024.

Meanwhile, lawmakers loyal to the Amaewhule faction, reportedly aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, earlier on Monday issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Fubara to represent the 2024 budget.

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