Rivers Assembly: Court Extends Order Against INEC, Others

Justice Donatus Okorowo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, has extended the Dec. 15 interim order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from taking any action or step against the 26 Rivers State House of Assembly members who defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).

The  court extended the order following an application by counsel for the embattled lawmakers, Steve Adehi, SAN, who appeared for the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Although, PDP’s lawyer, Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, opposed the application but Justice Okorowo agreed that based on Order 26, Rule 10 of the FHC, the court has the discretionary power to grant the plea in the interest of justice.

The judge held that he was persuaded by the reasons given by Adehi and Njemanze that granting the order would be better in the interest of justice.

Okorowo, who adjourned the matter until January 24 for hearing of the applications, said: “Application for the extension of the order of the lifespan of the ex-parte order pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice is hereby granted.”

Justice Okorowo had, on Dec. 15, granted the ex-parte motion filed by the 26 lawmakers who dumped PDP for APC.

The  court restrained INEC from conducting fresh election to fill the seats of the 26 assembly members.

It also restrained INEC, PDP and the house of assembly from declaring their seats vacant and withdrawing their respective certificate of returns pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The plaintiffs had, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023/ dated and filed Dec 13, sued INEC, PDP, the assembly, clerk of the assembly, Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and Department of State Service (DSS) as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.