A Federal High Court in Abuja was thrown into confusion on Wednesday as two counsels announced an appearance for the Rivers House of Assembly in a suit seeking an order to shut down all expenditures of the state government.
The suit, filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and its Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, seeks to restrain Governor Siminalay Fubara of Rivers from having access to the state’s funds until he re-presents the appropriation law for the 2024 financial year before the house.
The plaintiffs, through their lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had filed an originating summons dated July 14 but filed on July 15, seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Governor of Rivers, Fubara; and Accountant-General (AG) of Rivers from honoring any request or financial instruction issued by Fubara for revenue of Rivers State or Rivers State Government in their custody for the benefit of Rivers State or Rivers State Government.
However, when the matter was called on Wednesday, two counsel, Sebastien Hon, SAN, and Sammie Soniari, SAN, announced their appearance for the Rivers House of Assembly, causing confusion in the court.
Soniari informed the court that he had filed a notice of change of counsel on August 5, replacing J.B. Daudu, SAN, as the counsel for the House of Assembly. He also sought to join Victor Oko Jumbo, the incumbent speaker of the 10th Rivers assembly, as a co-plaintiff in the suit.
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Soniari argued that an originating summons was filed on the House of Assembly’s behalf without any authorization. He also filed a motion seeking an order striking out the name of the assembly from the originating summons.
Another lawyer, Collins Dike, equally announced his appearance for Obio/Akor Local Government Council of Rivers as a party seeking to be joined as the 11th defendant in the matter. Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter until August 30 for a hearing of the motions, ordering parties to file and respond to processes within seven days of receipt of court documents.
The development has raised questions about the legitimacy of the suit and the representation of the Rivers House of Assembly in the matter.
