The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has adjourned until January 21, 2025 to rule on applications in a suit filed by the Labour Party to declare vacant the seats of 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members who allegedly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
In the complaint filed FHC/PH/25/2024, the Labour Party also asks the court to rule on whether the alleged defection of 27 MPs loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike was lawful.
The lawsuit also requested that the Independent National Electoral Commission hold a by-election to fill the MPs’ seats, allowing the LP and other interested parties to compete for them.
Hilda Dokubo, the claimant and Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Labour Party Rivers State, was present in court on Wednesday.
During the hearings, the second to 28th defendants, including the embattled Speaker and leader of the pro-Wike MPs, Martin Amaewhule, told the court, via their counsel, Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), of their decision to consolidate their petitions in the case.
“We respectively pray for your order consolidating the three applications,” the SAN said.
Clifford Chukwu, the claimant’s counsel, requested the court to dismiss the motion by the 1st, 2nd-28th, and 29th defendants, stating that the defendants “did not file a further affidavit.” It is the law that failure to file a counter-affidavit constitutes an acceptance of all facts contained in the counter-affidavit.”
After hearing the parties’ comments, Justice Obele adjourned the matter until January 21, 2025 to rule on applications.
