JUST IN: Pro-Wike Lawmakers Stopped From Serving Impeachment On Fubara

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt issued an ex parte interim injunction on Monday, barring the Chief Judge of the state and the Clerk of the state House of Assembly from recognizing the Martins Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly.

Justice Jumbo Stephen’s order also prohibits them from acknowledging Amaewhule and 26 others as members of the Assembly, and from acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or communications from them.

The lawsuit, marked PHC/2177/CS/2024, was initiated by the Attorney General of the state and the Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, against Amaewhule and 26 others as the first set of defendants, and Victor Oko-Jumbo, the Chief Judge of the State, the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, and the Peoples Democratic Party as the second set of defendants.

Additionally, the court directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante litem as of July 5, 2024, until the motion for an interlocutory injunction is heard and determined.

The order specified, “An interim injunction is hereby issued restraining the 31st and 32nd defendants from recognizing or engaging with the first to 27th defendants as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and from receiving, forwarding, or otherwise acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or orders of the defendants pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.”

Furthermore, the court ordered substituted service of the originating and other processes in the case on the 1st to 30th defendants by posting them at a specific location in Port Harcourt.

The court adjourned the case till July 15, 2024, for the hearing of the motion on notice for Interlocutory injunction. This development occurred following the issuance of a seven-day ultimatum by the Amaewhule-led lawmakers aligned with Minister Nyesom Wike, demanding Fubara to re-present the 2024 budget earlier on Monday.