A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an interim injunction, restraining the Chief Judge and Clerk of the State House of Assembly from recognizing Martins Amaewhule and 26 others as Assembly members.
The order also bars them from acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or communications from the group, including any impeachment notice against Governor Siminialayi Fubara.
Justice Jumbo Stephen’s order states, “An Order of Interim Injunction is hereby made restraining the 31st and 32nd Defendants from dealing or howsoever relating with the 1st-27th 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 Defendants pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.”
The suit, filed by the Attorney General and Governor Fubara, seeks to prevent the Assembly led by Amaewhule from taking any actions against the Governor.
The court has ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the motion for interlocutory injunction is heard on July 15, 2024.
This development comes amid a political rift in the state, with the Assembly and Governor Fubara’s administration at odds over issues of governance.
The court’s decision is seen as a temporary reprieve for the Governor, pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
