Court Rules In Rivers Assembly Speaker’s Suit Against Fubara January 22

A Federal High Court, Abuja, has reserved judgment in a suit filed by the Rivers House of Assembly’s Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the National Assembly (NASS) and others till January 22, 2024.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter for judgment after counsel to the parties presented their arguments for and against the case.

The Rivers House of Assembly and Amaewhule are 1st and 2nd plaintiffs in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023.

In the amended originating summons dated December 7, 2023 but filed on December 11, 2023 by their lawyers including Ken Njemanze (SAN), Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), the plaintiffs sued the NASS, Senate president, deputy Senate president, Senate majority leader, Senate minority leader as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

Also joined in the suit, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), are the House of Representatives speaker, deputy speaker, majority leader, minority leader, clerk to NASS as 6th to 10th defendants.

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They also sued the governor of Rivers, attorney-general of Rivers, the commissioner for finance, accountant-general of Rivers, Rivers State Civil Service Commission, inspector-general of police (IGP) and Hon. Edison Ehie, who is also listed as Rivers Assembly’s speaker in the suit as 11th to 17th defendants respectively.

The plaintiffs sought an order of injunction restraining the 1st to 10th defendants (NASS) from entertaining any request from the 11th defendant (Fubara) to take over the performance of the functions of Rivers Assembly, including its role to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Rivers in respect of matters that are within its constitutional and legislative competence.

An order of mandatory injunction compelling the IGP (whether by himself or by officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force under his command) to provide and continue to provide adequate Security and protection for the 1st plaintiff under the leadership of the 2nd plaintiff as the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for the purpose of transacting the business of the one percent plaintiff.

They sought an order of injunction restraining Governor Fubara from impeding or frustrating the assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership as its speaker.

Upon resumed hearing yesterday, Justice Omotosho granted the application for joinder filed by Ehie.(NAN)