A fresh court order surfaced on Monday, July 8, restraining the Chief Judge of Rivers State and the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly from having any dealings with 27 lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule.
The High Court of Rivers State, presided over by Justice D. Jumbo Stephens, issued the ex-parte order for interim injunction dated July 8.
The order originated from suit No PHC/2177/CS/2024, filed by the Attorney-General of Rivers State and the state Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara.
The order listed the first set of defendants as Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers.
It also named Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy Sokari, Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the 28th to 33rd defendants.
In the ruling, the court stated:
“That an order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 31st and 32nd defendants from dealing or howsoever relating with the 1st to 27 defendants as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and from receiving, forwarding or howsoever acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or other documents or communication from the 1st to 27 defendants pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.”
The court further directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante litem as of July 5, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
Additionally, the court ordered substituted service of the originating and other processes in the suit on the 1st to 30th defendants by pasting the same at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters located along the Aba Road.
The case has been adjourned to July 15 for the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
Earlier in the day, a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the state former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and headed by Martin Amaewhule had issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Fubara to re-present the 2024 budget to the House.
Fubara had earlier presented the budget to the House loyal to him when his current Chief of Staff Edison Ehie presided as the Speaker.