A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt yesterday adjourned to June 3, 2024 the hearing in the suit instituted by members of the Rivers State Civil Society Organisation seeking the dismissal of27 lawmakers of the state house of assembly.
At the resumed hearing in the matter yesterday, the court’s clerk informed all the parties that the judge handling the case, Stephen Daylop Pam was indisposed and a new date was fixed for continuation and hearing of the case.
Addressing the media after the adjournment, the chairman, Rivers State CSO, Mr Enefaa Georgewill, frowned upon the long date for hearing, saying the counsel to the lawmakers led by Mr Martin Amaewhule were buying time.
They (counsel to the lawmakers) now have one month plus for a matter they have failed to respond to for the past two months. It is quite unfortunate and we know they are just buying time.
“But like we always say, justice will always be delayed but it cannot be denied. They should try all their gimmicks, but they should not be afraid to come to court to tell us if they are still members of the State House of Assembly.
“It is beyond the media rhetoric. They should come to court, respond to our processes and let the court decide whether or not they are still members of the House of Assembly. Like we have said this matter is backed by the Supreme Court, and we are sure we are going to have it,” he said.
Recall that CSO filed the suit seeking the interpretation of Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution and whether the lawmakers, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) still have legal rights to remain as lawmakers of their constituencies.
The CSO also prayed the court to restrain the governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara from representing the 2024 budget to the lawmakers who defected to the APC.
