A ruling is set to take place today, Friday, June 14, 2024, at the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt in relation to a case brought forward by Martin Amaewhule and twenty-six others against Victor Oko-Jumbo, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly. The case challenges the decision made by the Rivers State High Court, which favored Oko-Jumbo.
Previously, Justice Dagogo Jack of the State High Court ruled in favor of Oko-Jumbo, prohibiting Amaewhule and the others from carrying out any legislative duties and removing them from their positions as Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly. An interlocutory injunction was also granted against Amaewhule and the twenty-six others, which has now been consolidated in the appeal.
After hearing arguments from both parties on Thursday, the three-judge panel of the Appeal Court, led by Justice Jimi Olukayode-Bada, announced that they are ready to deliver a ruling on the matter. They instructed all counsels to be present in court by 9 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024.
If the appeal is successful and ruled in favor of Amaewhule, all laws and bills passed by him and the other members will be validated, allowing them to resume their legislative duties. It is worth noting that the affected lawmakers are loyal to the FCT Mninister, Nyesom Wike.
