Court Dismisses Labour Party’s Suit Against Amaewhule, 26 Rivers Lawmakers, Gives Reasons

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit filed by the Labour Party in Rivers State challenging the alleged defection of the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 26 other lawmakers. The court ruled on Tuesday that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment that had already resolved the central issue of defection raised in the suit.

Justice Emmanuel Obile, who delivered the ruling, stated that the Supreme Court’s decision was binding and that the lower court could not entertain a case that had been conclusively settled by the apex court. The defence counsel, Ken Njemanze, SAN, had earlier argued in his final address that the suit should be dismissed based on the precedent set by the Supreme Court, which upheld the legitimacy of the lawmakers in question.

On the other hand, Labour Party counsel Clifford Chuku contended that the matter of defection was only a collateral issue in the Supreme Court’s ruling and should be examined independently. Despite this argument, the court maintained its position and dismissed the suit.