The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has scheduled December 5 as the commencement date for the hearing of a lawsuit filed by Edison Ehie, the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The lawsuit aims to assert control over the state legislature amid the ongoing leadership crisis.
The dispute arose in the aftermath of a tumultuous period in the Assembly, sparked by the attempt by the original Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and 23 other lawmakers to impeach Governor Siminialayi Fubara. Subsequently, Ehie declared himself as the Speaker and initiated legal proceedings, urging the court to restrain Amaewhule from acting as Speaker or presiding over the House’s affairs.
Earlier, the court had issued an order for all parties to maintain the status quo until the hearing and determination of Ehie’s lawsuit.
However, Ehie later initiated contempt proceedings against Amaewhule, alleging that Amaewhule’s faction continued legislative proceedings in defiance of the court order.
During Monday’s proceedings, a legal dispute emerged as two lawyers clashed over the right to represent Ehie in the case. K.C.0. Njemanze, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed the court that he had been engaged to take over from N O. Akporuvweku, the original counsel in charge of the case. Akporuvweku contested this, asserting that he had not been formally notified of any change and insisted that he and his team remained the plaintiff’s legal representatives.
Meanwhile, Ferdinand Oshoke, counsel for the first and second defendants, requested the court to consolidate and expedite the hearing on all applications related to the case, emphasizing its significance to the legislative arm of government.
Justice Phoebe Ayua adjourned the case until December 5, allowing Ehie’s legal team to regularize their appearances and providing an opportunity for all parties involved to serve necessary legal processes