A Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt has granted an exparte order of subsistence service on Hon. Martins Amaewhule and 24 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
A three man panel of judges led by Hon. Justice Oluayemisi Williams -Dawodu today agreed that Hon. Amaewhule and 24 others be served through subsistence means or WhatsApp.
This was sequel to an application by the counsel to the applicants Elder Wilcox Abereton SAN who informed the court that it has been difficult and life threatening to serve Hon. Amaewhule and the Rivers State House of Assembly as a result of tight security details around them occasion by the political tension in Rivers State. The learned counsel also informed the court citing a sworn affidavit by the bailiff of court who went to serve the respondents and was warned and threatened not to come to serve any further process again but that he can paste it if he has the order of court to do so.
Amongst the other prayers granted by the court also include an order of accelerated hearing of the appeal.
The matter has been adjourned to 8th April for continuation.
Foremost Niger Delta activist High Chief Anab Sara-Igbe speaking on behalf of other nine appellants expressed satisfaction at the proceedings of the court adding that this is a matter Rivers people are very interested in and want justice to be done. He went on to ask Nigerians to be on alert to know if the country has a constitution that embraces rights equality and justice.
Recall that Hon. Justice Chiwendu Nworgu of the Federal High court of Port Harcourt on the 23rd January, 2024 had earlier struck out the matter for lack of Jurisdiction without entertaining motion from all parties.
also Recall that Rivers elders Forum led by High Chief Anab Sara-Igbe and Forum of leaders of Rivers State had dragged President Tinubu President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sir Simnalayi Fubara GSSRS Governor of Rivers State, Hon. Martins Ahmewhule and 24 others who purport to be members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to seek the constitutional validity of the the eight point Presidential agenda on Rivers people and section 109 sub 1(g) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the status of members of the house who have defected from the PDP to the APC.