Anita Ogona
The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned to Monday the 3rd of June to rule on the applications brought before it by Rt. Hon. Martins Chike Amaewhule & 24 Ors Vs Victor Oko Jumbo & 5 Ors. against the decision of a Rivers State High Court stopping them from parading as members of the State Assembly.
This follows a suit filed by the pro-Fubara faction of the Assembly, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.
At the resumed hearing today, the respondents had filed a counter, the court directed the plaintiff to respond between now and noon tomorrow and show proof of service to the respondents through any means even though via WhatsApp and also directed the respondents to respond if any, by Monday morning before the resumed hearing.
Counsel to the plaintiff had told the court to consolidate all the applications before it, following yesterday’s interlocutory injunction issued by a Rivers High Court judge despite the pendency of the appeal before a superior court.
The three-man panel of justices adjourned to the 3rd of June to hear and rule on all applications. ahead of the resumed hearing and ruling on the application..
Recall that the Rivers State High Court, presided over by Justice C.N. Wali, had issued an ex parte order restraining Amaewhule and the 24 others from parading themselves as members of the House of Assembly and holding any sessions.
Amaewhule and the 24 pro-Wike lawmakers appealed against the ex parte order, requesting the Appeal Court to vacate it and dismiss the suit During the resumed hearing on Thursday, the respondents, Oko-Jumbo and others, filed a counter-application.
The court then directed the plaintiff to respond by 12 noon, Friday, May 31, 2024, and to show proof of service to the respondents through any means, including WhatsApp.
Counsel for the plaintiffs requested the court to consolidate all the applications before it, following the interlocutory injunction issued by the Rivers State High Court despite the pending appeal.
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