BREAKING: Reason Why Court Stopped INEC From Conducting By-Elections To Replace 27 Rivers Lawmakers

BREAKING: Reason Why Court Stopped INEC From Conducting By-Elections To Replace 27 Rivers Lawmakers

Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from organizing by-elections to fill the seats declared vacant for 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

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In addition, the judge has prohibited the defendants from interfering with the legislative duties of the 27-member camp, including the speaker, deputy speaker, and other members of the parliament.

Justice Okorowo’s ruling also restrains the Inspector-General of Police and the State Security Service (SSS) from denying or refusing to provide security to the 27 lawmakers or withdrawing their security details.

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The case has been adjourned to December 28 for further proceedings.

A faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Edison Ehie, declared vacant the seats of 27 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last Wednesday. This move, backed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, triggered a legal battle with the 27-member group led by Martin Amaewhule, loyal to Nyesom Wike, the former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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Edison Ehie obtained an interim order through an ex-parte application from the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, allowing him and three colleagues aligned with Governor Fubara to conduct legislative activities without interference from the Amaewhule-led faction.

In an effort to prevent by-elections to fill their seats, the 27 lawmakers, through their lawyer Peter Onuh, filed an ex-parte request on December 13.

They urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the Rivers State House of Assembly, INEC, and the PDP from taking actions that could undermine their rights.

Additionally, the group sought court orders to restrain the State Security Service (SSS), the Inspector General of Police, and the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly from depriving them of their legislative rights, including withdrawing police security.

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