Rivers Crisis: Appeal Court returns speaker Amaewhule, 24 house members, sacks Oko-Jumbo

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Thursday, dismissed an order of the Rivers State High Court, which sacked the Martin Amaewhule’s led 24 Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The lower court had, in its judgement, restricted led the lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Assembly. The appellate court made the order following an appeal by Amaewhule and the 24 Assembly members, challenging the interlocutory decision of the Rivers State High Court, delivered on May 10, 2024. The 3-man panel member of the court led by Justice Jimi Olukayode-Bada held that Amaewhule’s appeal was “meritorious” and therefore allowed the same. Consequently, the suit by Victor Oko-Jumbo at the Rivers State High Court is hereby struck out. The panel held that Amaewhule and the 24 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly should revert to their positions before the restraining order was made. The Court of Appeal held that the only court vested with jurisdiction to hear the suit filed by Oko-jumbo is the Federal High Court and not the State High Court. Therefore, the panel unanimously reasoned that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit filed by the 1st to 3rd respindents. Consequently, it was the contention of the appellate court that the ex parte order which had restrained Amaewhule and the 24 Assembly members, having been made without jurisdiction, “is null and void and of no effect whatsoever”. “Trial court lacks the jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit of the respindents, the court said. The panel held that in granting an ex parte order, there must be an existence of “real urgency and not self-induced urgency.” More so, the Court of Appeal said the trial court should have heard the position of the appellant in the interest of fair hearing since there was no urgency in making the interlocutory injunction.

BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu Bail Appeal Denied

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday rejected the bail application by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, however, granted an accelerated hearing instead. Counsel for the IPOB leader, Alloy Ejimakor, had at the last adjourned date urged the court to admit Kanu to bail before the commencement of the trial. Ejimakor stated that Kanu’s health condition was deteriorating, adding that his continued detention by the DSS was a threat to his life. Ejimakor also argued that the continued incarceration of Kanu would not enable him to put up a good defence in the matter. But the counsel for the FG, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the bail application and instead grant an accelerated hearing. He noted that the DSS has a medical facility that could take care of him. Awomolo also accused Kanu of once jumping bail, adding that he failed to declare on oath in the affidavit filed by his lawyer that if granted bail, he wouldn’t jump bail. He was earlier granted bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017, after spending 18 months in detention but he fled the country after an invasion of his residence by the military in September 2017.

Omo-Agege Heads To Supreme Court As Appeal Court Upholds Oborevwori’s Election

Ovie Omo-Agege, the APC gubernatorial candidate in Delta State, has announced his intention to appeal to the Supreme Court following the recent ruling by the Appeal Court.  Recall that an appeal court sitting in Lagos affirmed the election victory of Sheriff Oborevwori. Describing the verdict as a delay in “redemption for Deltans,” Omo-Agege emphasized his commitment to pursuing justice for the people of Delta State. In a statement released by his media adviser, Sunny Areh, Omo-Agege acknowledged the judiciary while expressing disagreement with the interpretation of evolving electoral laws aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s democracy. Asserting that justice remains unfulfilled for his supporters, Omo-Agege reiterated his dedication to defending their trust by pursuing the case further. He highlighted the significance of the issues at stake for the future and well-being of the state, pledging to uphold what he believes is right. Encouraging his supporters to remain calm and abide by the law, Omo-Agege conveyed his confidence in the Supreme Court’s justices to scrutinize overlooked aspects and ensure justice prevails. He emphasized his unwavering commitment to fighting for what he believes is just and in the best interest of the people. The APC candidate affirmed his faith in the judiciary and its capacity to deliver the anticipated redemption at the final stage of the legal process.