May 10, (THEWILL)- The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained Martin Amaewhule and 24 other Pro-Wike Lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Justice Charles N. Wali issued the restraining order on Friday, following an exparte motion in a suit filed by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo (Speaker of the Pro-Fubara Assembly members) and two others.
The court also prohibited Martin Amaewhule from convening plenary at the assembly premises.
The case has been adjourned until May 29th for hearing of the motion on notice.
The order reads: “Upon this Motion Ex-parte coming up before His Lordship, Hon. Justice C.N. Wali, for hearing and determination, AND AFTER HEARING Sammie A. Somiari, SAN with B.N. Owunabo, Esq., K. O. Ogunjobi, Esq, B. S. Orupabo, Esq, 0. J. Ifejika, Esq. and T. Aprioku, Esq. for the Claimants/Applicants, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An Order of interim injunction is granted restraining the 1st to 25th Defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of Rivers State House of Assembly and/or meeting/sitting at the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters located at off 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 Motion on Notice.
2. An Order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 26th to 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 having been declared vacant with effect from 13th December 2023, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
3. It is further Ordered that this Order, the Motion on Notice and the writ and other processes in this case be served on the 1 to 25th Defendants/Respondents within seven (7) days from date by substituted means to wit: by pasting at the entrance gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Legislative Quarters, Off Aba Road, Port Harcourt and for such service to be deemed good and proper.
4. That this case is adjourned to the 29th May 2024, for Motion on Notice. GIVEN AT PORT HARCOURT under the seal of the Court and the hand of the presiding Judge, this 10 day of May 2024.”
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