The Supreme Court has decided to reserve judgment on five key appeals related to the ongoing crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly. After hearing the appeals concerning the defection of 27 lawmakers, the court confirmed that the judgment will be delivered on a later date, which will be communicated to the involved parties.
One of the main issues in the appeals involves the challenge to Martin Amaewhule’s legitimacy as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Governor Siminalayi Fubara, along with others, is questioning Amaewhule’s position, arguing that he and 26 other members defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which may affect his legal standing as Speaker.
In a related matter, the Supreme Court, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, had earlier dismissed Governor Fubara’s appeal regarding the presentation of the state’s 2024 budget before the Assembly. Fubara’s legal representative, Yusuf Ali, withdrew the suit, claiming that the appeal was no longer relevant.
