UPDATE: COURT TO HEAR MOTION SEEKING TO STRIKE OUT LP'S DEFECTION SUIT AGAINST RIVERS LAWMAKERS

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On Monday, a motion to strike down the Labour Party’s (LP) defection suit against Martin Amaewhule and 26 other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly will be heard by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

K. Njemanze (SAN), the attorney representing the Rivers State House of Assembly, told the court during the most recent hearing on March 11, 2025, that he had submitted a motion on March 10 asking the court to strike out the case.

Njemanze contended that every point brought up in the lawsuit had already been addressed by the Supreme Court’s decision on February 28, 2025.

He argued that the Federal High Court had to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling, citing Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as modified).

However, Clifford Chuku, counsel for the Labour Party (LP), opposed the motion.

He stated that he had filed a reply on points of law, arguing that the Supreme Court’s ruling did not directly address the central issue in this suit, which challenges the legality of the lawmakers’ defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chuku further emphasized that, under Section 272(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction over matters of defection involving House of Assembly members.

Justice Emmanuel Obile of the Federal High Court 2, Port Harcourt, ruled that the motion on notice would be heard before any consideration of the substantive case.

The matter was then adjourned to Monday, March 17, 2025, at 2:00 pm for the hearing of the motion.