The Rivers State Government has clarified that the state High Court did not rule that Martin Amaewhule and 26 others were still members of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Dagogo Iboroma, SAN, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said in a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt that the supposed report was false and that the material was intended to deceive the public.
According to him, as the third defendant in suit No. DHC/20/CS/2024, the suit did not attempt to declare Martin Amaewhule’s and 26 others’ seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly empty, and the claim was dismissed due to jurisdictional difficulties.
He said:
“The suit of the claimants was struck out for want of locus standi and jurisdiction and also for being an abuse of court process which robbed the trial court of jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter.
“As you all know, Martins Amaewhule and 26 others defected from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on the 11th Day of December 2023 and stated that much in affidavit evidence deposed to by Martins Amaewhule for himself and on behalf of 26 others in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1681/CS/2023 before Hon. Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division. The Suit is still pending in court.
“By Section 272(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, it is only the Federal High Court that can determine whether Martins Amaewhule and 26 others are still members of the People’s Democratic Party and also members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This much was held by the trial court.
“However, you will recall that there is a subsisting order of interlocutory injunction in Suit No. PHC/1512/CS/2024, restraining Martins Amaewhule and his co-travellers from further parading or presenting themselves as lawmakers in Rivers State pending the determination of the substantive suit, which has not been appealed against till date.”
He, however, urged the public to dismiss allegations that Martins Amaewhule and 26 others had been proclaimed members of the PDP and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Also Read:
Fuel, foods lead as imports hit N12tn
We’ll develop a resurgence plan for textile and apparel industry — FG
2,545 security personnel killed in four years — Report
cc: Daily Post Ng
