Court To Decide On Lawsuit Demanding Removal Of Pro-Wike Legislators

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Court To Decide On Lawsuit Demanding Removal Of Pro-Wike LegislatorsThe Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has adjourned a case seeking the removal of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are accused of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Labour Party, which filed the suit (FHC/PH/25/2024), is requesting the court to declare the seats of the defected lawmakers vacant and to determine if their defection was legally valid. The Labour Party has also asked the court to instruct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a by-election to fill the vacant seats, allowing the Labour Party and other interested parties to contest.

At a hearing on Wednesday, Justice Emmanuel Obele was presented with arguments from both sides. The claimant, represented by Hilda Dokubo, the Caretaker Committee Chair of the Labour Party in Rivers State, was present in court. The defendants, including Martin Amaewhule, the Speaker of the pro-Wike faction, were represented by Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), who requested the consolidation of their applications related to the case.

The claimant’s counsel, Clifford Chukwu, opposed the motion, arguing that the defendants had failed to file a further affidavit, which, according to the law, would imply an admission of the facts presented in the claimant’s affidavit. Chukwu stated outside the courtroom, “These lawmakers publicly announced their defection. We have evidence, including video clips, and now we are seeking the court’s intervention to have them vacate their seats so that a by-election can be held.”

Meanwhile, Justice Obele is also handling a separate suit filed by three lawmakers aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who are seeking the removal of the same 27 pro-Wike lawmakers. That case has been adjourned until December 10, 2024, for further proceedings.

The court is set to rule on the Labour Party’s application on January 21, 2025.

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