Rivers Assembly Crisis: Court Told To Send Speaker, Deputy To Prison
A request has been made to a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt to detain Martin Amaewhule, a leader involved in the Rivers House of Assembly crisis, and his deputy, Dumle Maol, for allegedly refusing to comply with a court order.
The crisis involves two groups, each led by Mr. Ehie Edison and Mr. Amaewhule, who identify themselves as speakers.
Mr. Edison filed Form 48, a notice of the consequence of disobedience of the Court Order, against Amaewhule and his deputy on Friday.
The suit’s applicants are the Rivers State House of Assembly and Edison, while the alleged contemnors include Amaewhule, Maol, the Inspector General of Police, the Director of the Department of State Security Services, Rivers State, and the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.
The applicants claim that the respondents disobeyed a court order issued on November 7, 2023, directing parties not to take any steps regarding the subject matter of the suit before the court.
Edison accuses Amaewhule of holding a sitting at the Rivers State House of Assembly in violation of the court order to maintain the status quo.
The Form 48, titled ‘Notice of Consequences of Disobedience of Order of Court,’ is dated November 22, 2023, and signed by the Registrar of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Judicial Division.
Justice Phoebe Ayuba of the Federal High Court had issued an order, upon the application of Edison and the Rivers State House of Assembly, directing all parties to maintain the status quo and refrain from taking any steps regarding the subject matter of the suit until the determination of the motion on notice.
The order reads, “That the prayers as stated on the Motion paper are denied.
“That an Order is made _ directing the Plaintiffs/Applicants to put the Respondents on Notice forthwith.
“That an Order is, however, made, directing that all parties on record respect the Court and should not take any step concerning the subject matter, since the matter is already before this Court — sub judice”
The case has been adjourned to the 27th of November, 2023
