The Supreme Court is poised to deliver its judgment on five appeals related to the ongoing crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly. The appeals, which focus on the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Assembly, have been under consideration after being heard by the apex court, which had reserved its judgment for a later date to be communicated to the parties involved.
One of the key issues at the heart of the appeals is the challenge against the legitimacy of Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This challenge arises from allegations that Amaewhule, along with 26 other members, defected from their original party to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), raising concerns over the legality of his position.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara is also challenging various matters linked to the leadership of the Assembly, particularly questioning the legality of Amaewhule’s position as Speaker.
In a recent development, the Supreme Court, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed an appeal filed by Governor Fubara, which sought to challenge the re-presentation of the 2024 budget before the Assembly leadership under Amaewhule. The dismissal occurred after Fubara’s lawyer, Yusuf Ali, withdrew the suit, citing that the appeal had become irrelevant.
The decision, set to be announced soon, is expected to have significant implications for the ongoing political struggles within the Rivers State House of Assembly.
