Rivers Court Stops Lawmakers Loyal To Wike From Sitting

By Ayodele Oni

A Rivers State High Court   has restrained the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly from using armed thugs and police personnel, to gain access to the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The faction led by Speaker, Mr. Martin Amaewhule, and other 26 members of the House of Assembly are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike.

They had, on Monday, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Amaewhule-led Assembly had accused the governor of withholding funds for the management of the Assembly.

The suit was brought by the factional State House of Assembly Speaker, Edison Ogerenye Ehie, as claimants/applicants, against  Martin Chike Amaewhule and  Dumle Maolas as defendants following the fire incident that engulfed the Assembly complex on October 29, 2023.

Following this, Governor Sim Fubara  has ordered the relocation of the Assembly’s sitting to a secure venue during the building’s renovation.

Ruling on the motion ex parte in Suit No. PHC/3030/C5/2023, upon hearing the motion, Justice M. W. Danagogo granted the interim orders sought by the claimants/applicants to wit:

“An order restraining the defendants and the claimants from using armed thugs, accompanied by police personnel, to gain access to the Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“An order preventing the defendants from disrupting the smooth operation of the claimants and interfering with their legislative duties during the renovation period.

“The second claimant is obligated to pay N50 Million  in damages if the application is deemed frivolous.