Court Sets Date For Ruling On Lawsuit Calling For Removal Of Pro-Wike Lawmakers

Court Sets Date For Ruling On Lawsuit Calling For Removal Of Pro-Wike LawmakersThe Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has scheduled January 21, 2025, to deliver its ruling on a case filed by the Labour Party, which is seeking to declare the seats of 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members vacant. These lawmakers are accused of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly under the influence of former Governor Nyesom Wike.

The suit, numbered FHC/PH/25/2024, challenges the legitimacy of the lawmakers’ defection and calls for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections to fill the vacated seats, allowing the Labour Party and other parties to contest.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, which were presided over by Justice Emmanuel Obele, Hilda Dokubo, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Labour Party in Rivers State, was present in court.

Representing the 27 lawmakers, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ferdinand Orbih requested that the court consolidate three pending applications related to the case. “We respectfully pray for your order consolidating the three applications,” Orbih stated.

However, Clifford Chukwu, the Labour Party’s counsel, opposed this request, arguing that the defendants had failed to file a further affidavit, which, according to the law, would amount to an admission of the facts presented in the counter-affidavit.

After hearing both parties’ arguments, Justice Obele adjourned the case until January 21, 2025, for a decision on the applications.

Speaking to the media outside the courtroom, Chukwu emphasized the Labour Party’s position: “These lawmakers publicly declared their defection. We have evidence, including television broadcasts on Channels TV and TVC, where they admitted this. We are asking the court to declare their seats vacant so INEC can organize by-elections where Labour Party and others can participate.” He also noted that the lawmakers had filed affidavits in a related case at the Federal High Court in Abuja confirming their defection, and that the PDP had acknowledged the defections in its response.

In a separate case, Justice Obele is also hearing a suit filed by three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, seeking the removal of the same 27 pro-Wike lawmakers. The hearing for this matter has been adjourned to December 10, 2024.

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