Hearing on Lawmakers’ Defection Postponed for Further Review.
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has postponed the hearing on whether to declare 27 Rivers State Assembly seats vacant due to lawmakers’ defection from PDP to APC. The next session is scheduled for April 30, 2025.
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has postponed the hearing concerning the status of 27 Rivers State House of Assembly seats until April 30, 2025. The case involves Speaker Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo and two others seeking to declare the seats of Speaker Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers vacant following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During the recent session, the applicants’ lead counsel, Prof. Yusuf Ali (SAN), informed the court that the defense team, led by Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), had submitted new counter-affidavits on February 15. Ali noted that his team responded on February 17. Orbih requested additional time to review the extensive filings, leading Justice Emmanuel Obile to grant an adjournment. The judge stated that the court would await the Supreme Court’s decision on related cases involving the Rivers State government before proceeding.
Counsel for the Rivers State Government, Dagogo Iboroma (SAN), confirmed the adjournment and noted that the case concerns the December 11, 2023, defection of the 27 lawmakers.
