Jonathan Nwokpor
The Appeal Court’s decision in the case of the 27 defections of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, according to a group called National Vanguard for Rule of Law, gives the Nigerian judiciary cause for optimism.
ZINGTIE recounts that the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, had declared 27 MPs’ seats vacant, including Martins Amaewhule, the speaker.
The troubled lawmakers had also petitioned the court to overturn a High Court in Port Harcourt’s Interlocutory Injunction.
However, the Abuja Court of Appeal declined to overturn their removal on Friday.
The appeal court virtually handed down its decision, directing the parties involved to preserve the status quo and refrain from engaging in any kind of hostilities until the case is heard and decided.
Reacting, the organisation said the decision had given the judiciary new life in a statement released by Comrade Johnson Babatunde, its president.
According to the group, “If the prayer to reverse the restraining order on the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly was granted, they would have used that window to perpetrate more mischief against the government and people of the State.
“With justices like those of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal still in the temple of justice, it is our conviction that hope is not lost in the Nigerian judiciary.
“It is our belief that, our judges will deliver sound judgements in the other cases on the political crisis in Rivers State.”
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