The High Court of Rivers State has issued an interim injunction in a case involving members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Hon. Justice Dr. D. Jumbo Stephens granted the injunction, which restrains Governor Sim Fubara and the Chief Judge of Rivers State from dealing with or receiving any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or other documents from the Martin Amaewhule faction of the Assembly.
This legal action follows a motion ex parte hearing and the supporting affidavit filed by Mrs. Ibwari Clapton Ogolo. The court order, dated July 8, 2024, directs all parties to maintain the status quo as of July 5, 2024, until the hearing and determination of the interlocutory injunction motion.
The case, marked PHC/2177/CS/2024, lists the Attorney-General and Governor of Rivers State as claimants/applicants. The defendants include 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the House, the Clerk of the Assembly, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The ex parte order reads:
“That an Order of Interim Injunction is hereby made restraining the 31st and 32nd Defendants from dealing or howsoever relating with the 1st – 27th 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 – 27th Defendants pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.
“That the parties to this suit are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante litem in this suit as at 5th July 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.
“An Order is hereby made for substituted service of the originating and other processes in this suit on the 1st – 30th Defendants by pasting the same at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters, opposite former NDDC headquarters, off Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.”
The matter has been adjourned to July 15, 2024, for the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
