July 08, (THEWILL) – A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Chief Judge of the State, from dealing with the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly.
Justice Jumbo Stephen issued the order which also restrained Governor Fubara and the Rivers State Chief Judge, as well as the clerk, from acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or communications from pro-Wike lawmakers.
The court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante litem as of July 5, 2024, until the motion for an interlocutory injunction is heard and determined.
“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, articles of impeachment, or other Defendants pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.
The parties to this suit are directed to maintain the status quo ante litem in this suit as of July 5, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.
An Order is hereby made for substituted service of the originating and other processes in this suit on the 1st-30th Defendants by pasting the same at Quarters, opposite the former NDDC headquarters, off Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State,” Justice Stephen ordered.
THEWILL reports that the orders followed a motion ex parte hearing and the supporting affidavit filed by Mrs. Ibwari Clapton Ogolo. Marked PHC/2177/CS/2024, the suit lists the Attorney-General and Governor of Rivers State as claimants/applicants.
The defendants include the 27 defected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the House, the Clerk of the Assembly, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, as well as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The court has adjourned until July 15, 2024, for a hearing on the motion on notice for Interlocutory injunction.
