High Court Affirms Amaewhule As RSH Speaker.
By Katherine Abayomi, Port Harcourt
The presiding judge, Justice Okogbule Gbasam, ruled that Amaewhule and the 26 other lawmakers are still members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The state high court in Port Harcourt Rivers state struck out a suit filed by Hycent Wosa-Amadi and three others seeking the court to declare the seat vacant as they defected last December to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Okogbule ruled that the defection can’t be initiated through publications in Newspapers, radio announcements, or online publications. It can be only initiated through the party membership register, membership card, and such members fulfilling all party membership requirements. He also ruled that the claimant failed to prove to the court that Amaewhule and others truly defected to the APC.
Counsel for the first defendant Emeka Onyeka stated that the case is about challenging the seat of the members of the sate House of Assembly led by Martin Awaewhule but with the events that are unfolding it is obvious been able to prove that the defendant from PDP to APC.
Emeka further said “you do not just imagine defection and assume that it has occurred. it is something that must be predicated in law and of course it must be seen to have proved it.” But for the purpose of the decision in the matter Justice is well served.
The court clearly stated Amaewhule still speaker of Rivers state house of Assembly and others saying the laws the pass are legitimate and state government bound by the law to obey the laws passed by them.
