…obtains order as court restrains chief judge, Assembly clerk from relating with Amaewhule-led legislators
In a deft and swift move to avert possible impeachment by the factional pro-Wike lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday, obtained a fresh court order restraining the Chief Judge of Rivers State and the Clerk, of the State House of Assembly from having any dealing with the 27 lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule.
Justice D. Jumbo Stephens of the High Court of Rivers State issued the ex-parte order for interim injunction dated July 8.
The order originated from suit No PHC/2177/CS/2024 filed by the Attorney-General of Rivers State and Governor Siminialayi Fubara.
It listed the first set of defendants as Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers and Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy Sokari, Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy, Chief Judge of Rivers State, the Clerk Rivers State House of Assembly, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as 28 to 33 defendants.
According to the court, “That an order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 31st and 32nd defendants from dealing or howsoever relating with the 1st to 27 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 documents or communication from the 1st to 27 defend pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.
“The parties to this suit are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante litem in this suit as of 5th July 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”
The court also ordered substituted service of the originating and other processes in the suit on the 1st to 30th defendants by pasting the same at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters located along the Aba Road.
The court adjourned to July 15th for the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
