The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt dismissed the lawsuit filed by Labor in Rivers State, challenging the alleged rebellion of the Rivers State Capitol, Martin Amaewhule and 26 other members of the parliament.
Emmanuel Obile ruled in his judgment Tuesday that the Supreme Court had settled the matter and therefore falls under the jurisdiction of the court.
The judge pointed out that the Supreme Court finally determined the core issue of defection and therefore further ruled in the lower court.
In his final written speech, the attorney for the defendant, Ken Njemanze, urged the court to dismiss the lawsuit, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling upholds the legitimacy of the legislators.
However, Labor lawyer Clifford Chuku believes that the defector’s issue is an accompanying issue that the Supreme Court has not fully considered and asked the court to hear the matter.
Despite such arguments, the court upheld the preliminary objection and dismissed the case.
