The Federal Lawmakers under the aegis of G-60 on Thursday clarified that the Appeal Court didn’t void the declaration of the seat of 27 Pro-Wike sacked lawmakers vacant.
The opposition Federal Lawmakers added that the declaration of the seats of the 27 pro wike sacked lawmakers remains valid and have not been nullified by any court in Nigeria
The Spokesperson of the G60 lawmakers, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said that the sacked 27 Rivers state lawmakers remain sacked.
In retrospect, Justice Charles Wali of the Rivers State High Court had on May 10, issued an interim injunction that restrained the sacked lawmakers loyal to the immediate past Governor of the state and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, from parading themselves as members of the Assembly, having decamped from the political party that sponsored their elections.
The court order followed a suit that was filed by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo who subsequently emerged as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The litigants, in their suit, contended that Amaewhule and the other defected lawmakers ceased to be members of the Rivers State House of Assembly since December 13, 2023, when their seats were declared vacant. While upholding the case of the plaintiffs, Justice Wali barred the pro-Wike lawmakers from accessing the Assembly complex or carrying out any legislative assignment in the name of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
However, the appellate court, ruling on a suit lodged before it by the former lawmakers who were led by the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule on Thursday, held that the Rivers State High Court, which issued the order, lacked the requisite jurisdiction to do so.
Reacting to the Appeal Court Ruling in Abuja, the spokesperson of G60 lawmakers, Ugochinyere stressed that the Pro-Wike sacked Rivers lawmakers seat remains vacant as Appeal court didn’t decide on the validity of their illegal decampment nor the declaration of their seat vacant.
According to him, the Appeal Court focused on declaring that the Federal High Court is the only court with the jurisdiction to decide on the legality or illegality of decampment thereby ruling against Rivers High Court proceedings.
He further stressed that the legal fire works continues, as the declaration of the vacant seats is still valid and subject of pending litigation.
He said: “The Court of Appeal ruling today shouldn’t be misconstrued in any way. The Pro-Wike sacked Rivers lawmakers seat remains vacant as Appeal court didn’t decide on the validity of their illegal decampment nor the declaration of their seats vacant.
“Appeal Court focused on declaring that the Federal High Court is the only court with the jurisdiction to decide on the legality or illegality of decampment thereby ruling against Rivers High Court proceedings.
“So the actions of the House formerly led by Ehi in declaring the seat vacant have not been declared null and void by any court. Ok Jumbo remains the speaker of Rivers State house of assembly, the legal fire works continues, as the declaration of the vacant seats is still valid and subject of pending litigation.
“Also the local government Chairmen whose tenure have since expired remains expired and can’t be extended and was never extended. There’s nothing like tenure extension in a democratic setting, it’s like a coup taking over constitutional governance.”
From Daily Independent.