Mr. Israel Iboroma, Commissioner of Justice
Highlight

Appeal Court didn’t reinstate Amaewhule, 26 other pro-Wike lawmakers – Rivers Govt

253

The Rivers State Government has clarified that Thursday’s Appeal Court judgment in Abuja did not reinstate Martin Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers who defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Israel Iboroma, clarified that Amaewhule and 26 others had defected on December 11, 2023, adding that their seats became automatically vacant from the moment they publicly announced their defection from the PDP to the APC.

Iboroma emphasized that neither the Federal High Court nor the Court of Appeal in Abuja ever heard the issue of their defection, and that no court has ever validated their membership in the House of Assembly as a result of their defection.

Iboroma said: “Today, October 10, 2024, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, dismissed Appeal No. CA/ABJ/133/CS/2024 filed by His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/133/CS/2023, which was delivered on the 22nd day of January 2024.

“It is important to state the facts and history of the case and the appeal thereof.

“On the 30th day of October 2023, after the failed attempt to impeach His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, the Rivers State House of Assembly became polarised into two factions.

“The faction led by Martin Amaewhule proceeded to the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, and filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023 on the 29th day of November, 2023.

“Subsequently, on the 11th day of December 2023, Martin Amaewhule and others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party that sponsored their election in the 2023 Legislative Assembly Election to the All Progressives Congress.

“By operation of law, particularly Section 109(i)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Martin Amaewhule and 26 others automatically lost their seats as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on the 11th day of December 2023, as Section 109(1)(g) is self executory as no court order is required thereof.”

He added: “His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, on the 13th day of December 2023, presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, who was recognised as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the time.

“The Appropriation Bill was later passed into law and became the Appropriation Law of 2024.

“An Appropriation Law is a state law within the purview of the High Court of Rivers State.

“Following the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly and the intervention by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the parties withdraw their cases in court to allow peace reign, His Excellency the Governor of Rivers State obeyed the President’s directive and withdrew his cases and the processes he filed in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023.

“Martin Amaewhule and others disobeyed the President and did not withdraw Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023 and proceeded to obtain a judgment against His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State.

“After the judgment of the Court of Appeal today, there is a gale of misrepresentation and misinterpretation that Martin Amaewhule & 26 others remain members of the Rivers State House of Assembly with Martin Amaewhule as the speaker thereof. This is patently false.

“The defection of Martin Amaewhule and 26 others was not an issue for determination in the Federal High Court, Abuja, and the Court of Appeal.

“What was in issue was the 2023 Appropriation Law and the National Assembly taking over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Dissatisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, His Excellency, the Governor has directed his lawyers to file an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court and also file an application for stay of execution of the judgement to of the Court of Appeal. That maintains the status quo.

“Accordingly, His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State urges the good people of Rivers State to ignore the purveyors of fake news bent on misleading the good people of Rivers State.”

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Save for rainy day, Federal Accountant General urges state govts, emphasizes transparency, accountability

In a bid to ensure financial stability during adverse situations and economic...

Sacked UNIZIK VC Odoh to Tinubu: You can’t fire me through press release

Sacked Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), in Awka, Anambra State, Prof....

UBA to empower MSME’s with wealth management strategies at its ‘Built to Last’ series

As part of its commitment to deepen the growth and sustainability of...

Olopade assumes office as NSC DG, promises new lease of life for Nigerian sports

Bukola Olopade had assumed office as the Director General of the resuscitated...

Amid High Inflation Rate, IMF Pledges Support for Nigeria’s Economic Reforms

International Monetary Fund (IMF) President Kristalina Georgieva and her team met with...

Nigeria’s Super Falcons Ajibade, Nnadozie, Nominated for 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the nominees for the...

Just in: FG announces reshuffle of governing councils at FUOYE, Kogi varsity

The Federal Government has made changes to the governing councils of Federal...

Exclusive: Eguavoen Opens Up on Declining NFF Contract Extension, Reveals Reasons

Super Eagles Coach, Austin Eguavoen, has revealed why he declined the Nigeria...

Boost for Nigeria’s Oil Production As NNPC’s Utapate Crude Grade Hits Global Oil Market

In a major boost for Nigeria’s crude oil production, revenue generation, and...

Just in: FG sacks varsity Pro-Chancellor for misconduct

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced the removal of...

Just in: INEC presents Certificates of Return to Ondo Gov. Aiyedatiwa, deputy

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Certificates of Return to...

Breaking: Senate sacks Danladi Umar, Code of Conduct Tribunal chairman  

Following proven allegations of gross misconduct and unacceptable behaviour, the Senate on...

Just in: South Africa takes over G20 Presidency from Brazil, first African nation to lead the bloc

South Africa has taken over the presidency of the G20 from Brazil,...

Tinubu submits 3 INEC REC, federal commissioner-nominees for Senate’s approval

President Bola Tinubu has sent the name of Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner,...

Just in: After a night in custody, DSS in Ogun releases Ladi Adebutu

Mr. Ladi Adebutu, the 2023 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in...

Senate holds valedictory session for late Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah

The Nigerian Senate suspended its plenary session on Tuesday to pay tribute...

Three days after Ogun council poll, DSS arrests Ladi Adebutu, 2023 PDP’s guber candidate

The Department of State Services (DSS) in Ogun State has arrested the...

Russian Pres. Putin signs decree for nuclear retaliation against non-nuclear states

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a decree allowing Moscow to...

International students in US: Nigeria ranks 7th worldwide, leads in Africa

Nigeria has emerged as the seventh-largest source of international students in the...