JUST IN: Court Dismisses Lawsuit Seeking to Replace 27 Pro-Wike Lawmakers in Rivers Assembly

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to replace 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The lawsuit, filed by the Action People’s Party (APP), alleged that the lawmakers had defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The case was thrown out on Friday by Justice Peter Lifu, who ruled that the lawsuit was statute-barred, as it was not filed within the 14-day window allowed by law. The alleged defection took place in December last year, but the APP filed the suit in July—eight months after the event, well beyond the legal time limit.

In his judgment, Justice Lifu also noted that the case was a “gross abuse of court processes,” citing the fact that similar cases regarding the defection of the same 27 lawmakers had already been adjudicated. He referenced a July ruling by Justice James Omotosho, which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from declaring the lawmakers’ seats vacant or conducting fresh elections to replace them.

Justice Lifu emphasized that since the previous ruling had not been appealed or overturned, it remained legally binding. He further stated that revisiting the case would be tantamount to judicial overreach, as it would position him as an appellate court over the same matter.

On these grounds, Justice Lifu dismissed the suit, reinforcing the legal standing of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers in the Rivers Assembly.

More details to follow.