Court Extends Order Barring Rivers Chief Judge, Clerk from Dealing with Amaewhule-Led Assembly

A Port Harcourt High Court has extended its interim order restraining the Chief Judge and Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly from interacting with the Speaker Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. This follows a suit by Governor Siminialayi Fubara and the Attorney-General of Rivers State aimed at preventing potential impeachment plans.

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The suit, which includes 27 lawmakers led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, the Chief Judge, the Clerk, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as defendants, seeks to stop any actions from the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. On July 8, Justice Jumbo Stephens ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.

The court’s specific instructions included:

1. An interim injunction restraining the Chief Judge and Clerk from interacting with the 27 defendants as members of the House of Assembly and from acting on any resolutions or impeachment articles until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
2. Direction for all parties to maintain the status quo as of July 5, 2024, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
3. An order for substituted service of the originating and other processes on the defendants by pasting them at designated locations in Port Harcourt.

This development highlights ongoing tensions within the Rivers State government and legislative body.