The Rivers State High Court has barred the State House of Assembly under the leadership of Martins Amaewhule from impeaching Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The court order restrained the Chief Judge of Rivers State and the Clerk, of Rivers State House of Assembly from having any dealings with the 27 lawmakers led by Amaewhule.
The order, which surfaced on Monday, was given by Justice D. Jumbo Stephens in his ruling on an ex-parte order on suit No PHC/2177/CS/2024 filed by the Attorney-General of Rivers State and the state Governor, Siminialayi Fubara.
The suit listed the first set of defendants as Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers and Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy Sokari, Orubienimigha Adolphus Timothy, Chief Judge of Rivers State, the Clerk Rivers State House of Assembly, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as 28 to 33 defendants.
Justice Stephens ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
The court said: “That an order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 31st and 32nd defendants from dealing or howsoever relating with the 1st to 27 defendants as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and from receiving, forwarding or howsoever acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or other documents or communication from the 1st to 27 defend pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.
“The parties to this suit are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante litem in this suit as of 5th July 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”
The court also ordered substituted service of the originating and other processes in the suit on the 1st to 30th defendants by pasting the same at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters located along the Aba Road.
The matter has been adjourned to July 15th for the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
