Rivers Crisis: Court stops former Speaker, Amaewhule, 24 others from parading themselves as lawmakers
Joseph Irikefe
The Rivers State High Court has granted an interim order restraining the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 others from parading themselves as assembly members.
The court has also specifically restrained Martin Amaewhule from holding plenary sessions at the assembly quarters.
The case has been adjourned to May 29th for further hearing. Meanwhile, men of the Nigeria Police have taken over the Rivers House of Assembly complex, NewsWeek Nigeria reports.
About 30 armed policemen have taken over all the entrances to the House of Assembly quarters located along the Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
It was gathered that both the first and second gates to the lawmakers’ estate were safeguarded by the police with about 30 patrol vans used to block the entrances.
The development came shortly after the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly claimed that the governor was planning to demolish the quarters following his recent surprise visit to the facility.
But the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had explained that his visit to the estate on Thursday was harmless.
The governor said: “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there?
“You are aware of the developments. We have a new speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people. It was learnt that following the alarm raised by Amaewhule, the anti-Fubara lawmakers including some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) kept vigil around the estate till daybreak.
Armed policemen were seen barricading the gates on Friday to secure the facility.
However, the Sim Media Volunteers (SMV) called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to monitor the activities of policemen in the state and ensure they observed the rules of engagement.
The convener of the group, Frank Kilsi, decried the arrest and intimidation of the governor’s supporters by the police saying the development could lead to anarchy.
Kilsi, who spoke in Port Harcourt, on Friday, said: “We call on the Inspector-General of Police to rein in his men and exercise restrain by stopping the unnecessary attack or wanton arrest on any of the governor’s supporters, as further harassment could lead to anarchy and breakdown of law and order that may not do our state any good.
Kilsi appreciated the overwhelming support of Rivers people to Fubara and their decision to stand firm in defence of democracy despite challenges.
He said: “We, the youths of the state, under the aegis of SIM Media Volunteers, do hereby emphasize the need for peace, justice and development in Rivers State.
“We implore all relevant stakeholders such as the citizens, political leaders, traditional institutions, and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the rights and freedom of the people are upheld and protected at all times.