Rivers: Judge Refutes Allegations as Secretly Filed Court Decision Surfaces Online

A draft of a court ruling from the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding an ex parte application favoring pro-Nyesom Wike’s lawmakers in Rivers State has surfaced online. The alleged ruling, scheduled for delivery on Monday, December 18, 2023, has stirred controversy.

Justice D. U. Okorowo is accused of holding a clandestine hearing in his chambers and issuing a judgment in favour of 27 lawmakers purportedly loyal to former Rivers State governor, Wike. However, Justice Okorowo vehemently denies these allegations, asserting that no such proceedings occurred.

On Monday, the 27 lawmakers, loyal to Wike, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, citing party division as the reason for their move, further complicating the political landscape.

The lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, previously initiated unsuccessful impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has been in a longstanding feud with his predecessor, Wike.

In a subsequent development, the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, presided over by Justice D.M. Danagogo, issued an order restraining Martin Amaewhule from interfering with the legislative functions of House Speaker Edison Ehie. This move came as a response to a motion ex parte filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Despite the leaked ruling on Sunday, the lawmakers supporting Governor Fubara approved the state’s N800 billion budget for the 2024 fiscal year on Wednesday. The leaked ruling could potentially thwart the declaration of the 27 lawmakers’ seats as vacant, providing them with a contested legitimacy to pursue impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.

The legal battle, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023, involves the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers and several entities, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Rivers State House of Assembly, Inspector General of Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The leaked court document outlines urgent injunctive reliefs sought by the lawmakers, and the court granted these as prayed. However, Justice Okorowo dismisses the leaked document as fake when questioned.