Grapevine

A’Court didn’t reinstate Amaewhule, 26 others -Rivers

Iboroma emphasised that the issue of their defection was never brought before the Federal High Court or the Court of Appeal in Abuja, adding that no court has legitimised their membership in the House of Assembly following their defection.

Iboroma said, “Today, October 10, 2024, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division dismissed Appeal No. CA/ABJ/133/CS/2024 filed by His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division in suit No. FHC/ABJ/133/CS/2023 was delivered on the 22nd day of January 2024. It is important to state the facts and history of the case and the appeal thereof.

“On the 30th day of October 2023, after the failed attempt to impeach His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, the Rivers State House of Assembly became polarised into two factions. The faction led by Martin Amaewhule proceeded to the Federal High Court, Abuja Division and filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1613/CS/2023, on the 29th day of November, 2023.

“Subsequently, on the 11th day of December 2023, Martin Amaewhule and others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party that sponsored their election in the 2023 Legislative Assembly Election, to the All Progressives Congress.

“By operation of law, particularly Section 109(i) (g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Martin Amaewhule and 26 others automatically lost their seats as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on the 11th day of December 2023, as Section 109(1)(g) is self executory as no court order is required thereof.”