The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, has approved the request of Labour Party (LP), for the display of tbd video showing the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers, led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, had announced their defection from the PDP to the APC on December 11, 2023, reportedly without any internal crisis within their party, a condition often required to justify such moves.
Speaking after a hearing before Justice Emmanuel Obele of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, LP’s counsel, Clifford Chukwu, stated that the party has compelling evidence to substantiate its case.
Chukwu explained that the court had granted leave to present the video as evidence, but at resumed hearing today, Justice Obele opted to address preliminary applications before proceeding to the substantive matter.
The case has been adjourned to January 21, 2025, when the video evidence is expected to be presented in court.
LP’s case was one of the two matters that were considered by the Judge, Justice Emmanuel Obele on the same subject matter.
The second case was by the Speaker of the Pro-Fubara Lawmakers, Victor Oko-Jumbo and his two colleagues, Sokari Goodboy and Adolphus Timothy.
Oko-Jumbo and his colleagues are urging the court to declare that the 27 lawmakers are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing Section 109 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, among other related demands.
After considering in affirmation the applications for joinder by the PDP and the APC, the judge, Justice Emmanuel Obele adjourned to December 10, 2024, for adoption of processes which may lead to reservation of judgement.
