Rivers State Faction Obtains Court Order, Shuts Legislative Chamber

A faction of Rivers Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara led by Edison Ehie has obtained a court order which not only stopped the rival faction led by Martins Amaewhule from sitting but also effectively shut down the legislative chamber.

The Amaewhule faction of the Rivers House of Assembly is loyal to the incumbent FCT Minister and former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike.

Ehie had in the suit asked the court presided over by Justice Phoebe Ayua prayed the court to stop Amaewhule and the other presiding officers in his faction from presiding over the activities of the House of Assembly.

In the suit, the plaintiffs are the River State House of Assembly as first and Ehie (Speaker, River State House of Assembly) as second.

The defendants are the factional speaker of the assembly, Martins Amaewhule, Dumle Moal, the former deputy speaker, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director of the Department of State Security Services, Rivers State and Commissioner of Police.

In her ruling, Justice Ayua ordered all the parties to respect the court order, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Noticean order is however, made, directing that all parties on record respect the court and should not take any step concerning the subject matter, since the matter is already before this court – sub judice – pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

In the suit, the plaintiffs sought, among others, a declaration that the former speaker and his deputy, having been removed and suspended from the house, are not entitled to participate, disturb, interfere or obstruct the performance of the legislative proceedings and duties of the new speaker.

This, they said, was following the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

The plaintiff also sought an order restraining the former speaker and the deputy from interfering or participating in the functions of the House of Assembly.

In its ruling, the Court ordered the two factions in the Rivers House of Assembly to suspend further sitting and maintain the status quo, pending the dispensation of the matter.

The assembly broke into two factions when Amaewhule and some members attempted to impeach Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of the state.

However, the two factions had sat at different venues yesterday.