Rivers Political Turmoil: Appeal Court Forms Special Panel, Hearings Start Thursday

Rivers Political Turmoil: Appeal Court Forms Special Panel, Hearings Start Thursday

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has established a dedicated three-member panel to handle the increasing number of political cases emerging from Rivers State. This decision comes amid rising tensions between...CONTINUE READING…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The ongoing feud has led to a surge in legal disputes and conflicting rulings, creating divisions and raising concerns about the state’s political stability. To expedite the resolution of these cases, Court of Appeal President Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem appointed the special panel, chaired by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, with Justices Misitura Bokaji-Yusuf and James Abundaga, to oversee all appeals related to the political crisis in Rivers.

The panel will address several key cases, including an appeal from Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly. Other notable cases involve the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly the alleged defection of 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike from the PDP to the APC.

During a court session on Monday, a panel adjourned three Rivers-related appeals to be heard by the new special panel. Chief Paul Erokoro (SAN), representing one of the appellants, informed the court about efforts to serve all necessary documents to respondents before Thursday’s hearing. He also requested more time to review recent filings.

The panel’s formation signals a decisive step toward resolving the growing political conflict in Rivers State and restoring order to its legal and political landscape.