A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has rescheduled the hearing for a lawsuit brought by members of the Rivers State Civil Society Organisation (CSO) aiming to remove 27 pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers from the State House of Assembly.
The hearing, originally set for Friday, was postponed to June 3, 2024, due to the unavailability of the presiding judge, Justice Stephen Daylop Pam.
The CSO members filed the suit seeking clarification on Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, particularly whether lawmakers who switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress retain their legislative seats. Additionally, they requested the court to prevent Governor Siminalayi Fubara from presenting the 2024 budget to these defected lawmakers.
Enefaa Georgewill, Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Society Organisation, expressed disappointment with the delay in the court proceedings. He criticized the opposing counsel, led by Martin Amaewhule, accusing them of intentionally prolonging the case.
Georgewill stated, “They (counsel to the lawmakers) now have one month plus for a matter they have failed to respond to for the past two months. It is quite unfortunate, and we know they are just buying time.”
He emphasized the importance of the court’s decision in determining the status of the lawmakers in question, asserting that justice must prevail despite any attempts to delay the legal process.
“It is beyond the media rhetoric. They should come to court, respond to our processes and let the court decide whether or not they are still members of the House of Assembly,” Georgewill affirmed. He expressed confidence in the legal process, citing the backing of the Supreme Court and anticipating a favorable outcome for the CSO’s case.