By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Justice Phoebe Ayuba of a Federal High Court sitting in Port-Harcourt has ordered parties in the Rivers Assembly to maintain status quo in the matter, pending the hearing of the motion on notice together with the main suit filed by the new Speaker of the House and the House of Assembly.
Ruling on the motion filed in the suit, the trial judge ordered that none of the parties on record should do anything about the matter since all the parties are expected to respect the sanctity of the court.
In the suit, the new Speaker and the House of Assembly itself sought for, amongst others, a declaration that the former speaker and his former deputy, having been removed and suspended from the House, are not entitled to participate, disturb, interfere or obstruct with the performance of the legislative proceedings of the House and the legislative duties of the new speaker in accordance with the provisions of Sections 90 to 104 of the Constitution of Nigeria.
They also sought for an order restraining the former two principal officers of the House from interfering or participating in the functions of the House of Assembly.
The Inspector General of Police and the Director of State Security Service are also made Respondents in the suit. The court has fixed November 27, 2023 for hearing of motion on notice.
Recall that following some disagreement which arose from the attempt to impeach the State governor, Mr Sim Fubara, the Rivers State House of Assembly has been factionalised leading to a group loyal to Fubara electing Honorable Edison as the new speaker.