The High Court of Rivers State has issued an interim injunction in a case involving members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The injunction, granted by Hon. Justice Dr. D. Jumbo Stephens, restrains Governor Sim Fubara and the Chief Judge of Rivers State from dealing with or receiving any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or other documents from the Martin Amaewhule faction of the Assembly.
The injunction follows a motion ex parte hearing and the supporting affidavit filed by Mrs. Ibwari Clapton Ogolo.
The court order, dated July 8, 2024, also directs all parties to maintain the status quo as of July 5, 2024, until the hearing and determination of the interlocutory injunction motion.
The case, which was marked PHC/2177/CS/2024, lists the Attorney-General and Governor of Rivers State as claimants/applicants.
The defendants include 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the House, the Clerk of the Assembly, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, as well as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The exparte order reads:
“That an Order of Interim Injunction is hereby made restraining the 31st and 32nd Defendants from dealing or howsoever relating with the 1st – 27th Defendants as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and from receiving, forwarding or howsoever acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment or other documents or communication from the 1st – 27th Defendants pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.
“That the parties to this suit are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante litem in this suit as at 5th July 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction already filed herein.
“An Order is hereby made for substituted service of the originating and other processes in this suit on the 1st – 30th Defendants by pasting the same at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters, opposite former NDDC headquarters, off Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.”
The matter was been adjourned to July 15, 2024, for the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.