A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered both factions in the Rivers State House of Assembly to maintain the status quo and suspend further deliberations until the matter before the court is resolved.
The order came in response to a suit filed by Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, a factional Speaker of the House, challenging the legitimacy of Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule and his group to preside over the activities of the legislative arm of the state government.
Justice Phoebe Ayua, who presided over the case, directed all parties to refrain from taking any action that could prejudice the outcome of the court proceedings.
In his suit, Ehie had sought a declaration that Amaewhule and his former deputy, having been removed and suspended from the House, are no longer entitled to participate in or interfere with the legislative proceedings of the House. He also requested an order restraining the former two principal officers from interfering with the functions of the House Assembly.
The court fixed the hearing of the motion on notice for November 27, 2023.
Recall that about 20 members of a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Tuesday morning, took over the Assembly complex and held a plenary session.
The lawmakers, loyal to the embattled Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, demanded a police investigation into a fire incident in the chamber on October 29.
The faction led by Rt Hon. Barr. Edison Ehie also reconvened today.
