Tension As Court Of Appeal Delivers Judgement On The Fate Of 27 Pro-Wike Lawmakers

There is mounting anxiety as an Appeal Court in Port Harcourt is set to deliver a ruling on Friday, June 14, 2024 (today), on a case brought by Martin Amaewhule and twenty-six others.

They are contesting a decision made by the Rivers State High Court in favor of Victor Oko-Jumbo, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

Previously, Justice Dagogo Jack of the State High Court ruled in support of Oko-Jumbo, restraining Amaewhule and the others from performing legislative duties and removing them from their positions as Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly. This decision also included an interlocutory injunction against Amaewhule and his group, which has now been incorporated into the appeal.

On Thursday, a three-judge panel of the Appeal Court, led by Justice Jimi Olukayode-Bada, heard arguments from both sides and announced their readiness to rule on the matter. They instructed all counsels to be present in court at 9 a.m. today for the decision.

If the Appeal Court rules in favor of Amaewhule, the laws and bills passed by him and the other members will be validated, allowing them to resume their legislative functions. The affected lawmakers are aligned with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.