A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has set January 21, 2025, as the date to rule on the fate of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who allegedly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Labour Party (LP), in a case filed under suit number FHC/PH/25/2024, is seeking a declaration that the lawmakers’ seats be vacated in line with constitutional provisions.
The Labour Party also requested the court to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections to fill the purportedly vacant seats, allowing the LP and other parties to participate.
The case, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Obele, has generated significant political interest due to its implications for the state’s legislative makeup.
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The claimant, Hilda Dokubo, Caretaker Committee Chairperson of the LP in Rivers State, was present during the proceedings. Counsel for the defendants, Ferdinand Orbih, representing the embattled Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and others, requested the court to consolidate their applications.
Orbih argued that the applications shared the same subject matter and urged the court to allow parties to file and exchange pleadings and present evidence.
“We respectfully pray your order consolidating the three applications,” Orbih stated.
However, the claimant’s counsel, Clifford Chukwu, objected to the motions submitted by the defense. While he did not oppose the consolidation of applications, Chukwu contended that the defendants had not filed a further affidavit to counter the claims made by the Labour Party.
“The defendant did not file a further affidavit. It is law that failure to file a counter-affidavit amounts to an admission to all facts stated in the counter-affidavit,” Chukwu argued, urging the court to dismiss the defense motions
