On Thursday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed an order from a Rivers high court that had prevented Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers from acting as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The appeal, marked CA/PH/198/2024, was brought by the pro-Wike lawmakers who sought to stay the high court’s judgment and invalidate legislative actions taken by the Jumbo-led Assembly.
These lawmakers, initially elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023.
In response, the Rivers Assembly, led by Speaker Hon. Edison Ehie, declared their “seats vacant” two days later.
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A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Jimi Olukayode-Bada, ruled that “the high court lacked jurisdiction over the case, stating that such matters should be addressed by a federal high court. Consequently, the appellate court invalidated all restraining orders issued by the high court.”
On May 30, High Court Judge Charles Wali had restrained the Amaewhule faction from conducting legislative sittings and barred Governor Siminalayi Fubara from engaging with or accepting resolutions from these lawmakers. The lawsuit was initiated by Victor Oko Jumbo, a factional speaker loyal to Governor Fubara, and two other lawmakers.
The Court of Appeal’s decision nullifies these restrictions, allowing the pro-Wike lawmakers to resume their legislative roles.