Court Grants Rivers Elders Forum Request To Serve Procedure To Assembly Speaker

In a significant legal development, a Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt has acceded to the prayers of the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum.

They sought alternative means to serve court procedures to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, who stands as a defendant in a case challenging the legality of 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and himself after decamping from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under which they were elected in the 2023 elections.

This decision comes after an exparte order, was initially dismissed and a case struck out by a State High Court in Port Harcourt was granted during the first hearing of the case, alongside a motion for accelerated hearing.

The lead counsel to the appellant, speaking to journalists after the court session, emphasized the necessity of the motion, citing an alleged refusal by Martin Amaewhule to allow court bailiffs to serve court summons.

The court has adjourned further hearing of the case to the 8th of April, 2024, marking a pivotal moment in the legal battle surrounding the status of the decamped members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.