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Tag: Lawmakers

  • Pro-Fubara lawmakers to challenge appeal court verdict

    Pro-Fubara lawmakers to challenge appeal court verdict

    The faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, says it will challenge the verdict of the Appeal Court which declared Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the house.

    Oko-Jumbo, the Speaker of the assembly’s faction loyal to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, disclosed this during a sitting of the house in Port Harcourt in Friday.

    It would be recalled that the Appeal Court on Thursday, set aside a decision of the Rivers State High Court which declared that Martins Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers were no longer members of the assembly.

    The appeal court held that the Rivers State High Court had no jurisdiction to entertain issues relating to the decampment of lawmakers.

    Oko-Jumbo said that the assembly strongly believed that the appeal court was in error by declaring that a state high court could not hear such matter.

    ”I remain the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, there cannot be two houses of assembly in any state, not in Rivers,” he said.

    He further said that the seats of Martins Amaewhule and 24 others lawmakers were validly declared vacant by the then speaker, Edison Ehie.

    “On Dec.13, 2023, their seats were declared vacant following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on Dec. 11, 2023.

    “That declaration by the then speaker, Edison Ehie has not been set aside by any court in Nigeria,” he Oko-Jumbo said.

    The factional speaker further said that the assembly secured an order restraining Martins Amaewhule and the 24 other lawmakers from parading as speaker and members of the assembly.

    Oko-Jumbo said that the decision of the appeal court only dwelt on jurisdiction, and did not look at other critical issues such as their decampment to another party.

    “The Court of Appeal did not make any declaration that Martin Amaewhule and 24 others did not defect from the PDP to APC. It did not also make any declaration that they are still members of the house.

    “In spite all their pretences, Martins Amaewhule and the 24 others are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly as we speak,” he said.

    Meanwhile, during the sitting, the Oko-Jumbo-led assembly considered two bills, which were also moved through first reading.

    The bills are, the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency Bill, 2024, and the Rivers State Transport Company Reform Bill, 2024.

  • ‘G60’ advises sacked Rivers lawmakers not to ”pressure” judiciary

    ‘G60’ advises sacked Rivers lawmakers not to ”pressure” judiciary

    Opposition Lawmakers in the House of Representatives under the aegis of the ” G60” have urged sacked Rivers lawmakers not to put undue pressure on the judiciary.

    The spokesperson for the group, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) made the call while addressing newsmen in Abuja.

    He reacted to the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal on the 25 members of the Rivers House of Assembly who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and their seats were declared vacant in line with provisions of the Constitution.

    Ugochinyere said that the grand norm is very clear when it says, an elected member shall vacate his seat if he defects to another party against the laid down conditions of the Constitution.

    The lawmaker said that the conditions for defecting and remaining in office are when there is a division in a party or a merger of two or more parties.

    He said that the 28 former members of the state assembly defected against the provisions of the law and they remained sacked from the assembly unless a judgment of a competent court decides otherwise.

    “We are saying that we cannot continue to keep quiet, constitutional crisis overtime has led to the collapse of our democracy.

    “So all these crises and more pressure they are putting on judiciary to interpret what is clear to all of you is not necessary.

    “Section 109 (1G) is automatic, it goes into effect at the very moment you move when there was no division; you can go to court to prove that there was a division but they not doing that and there is no judgment or ruling in that aspect,” he said.

    The lawmaker said that Local Government Chairmen in the state whose tenure had expired and wanted to remain in office, should vacate their offices in interest of peace.

    He said that the tenure of a Local Government Chairman is clearly stated in the Constitution and cannot be extend by any other law or policy unless the Constitution is amended.

    Ugochinyere urged residents of Rivers to be vigilant and not to allow former lawmakers or former Local Government Chairmen to parade themselves as serving government officials.

    He said discussions in the country should focus on security, food price and other environmental issues and not a few politicians.

    NAN reports that the appeal court sitting in Abuja on Thursday vacated the order that sacked 25 members of the Rivers house of assembly who defected to the ruling  the APC.

    The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-man panel of Justices, on Thursday, held that the Rivers State High Court, which issued the order, lacked the requisite jurisdiction to do so.

    It upheld the appeal that was lodged before it by the lawmakers who were led by the embattled Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule.

    It will be recalled that Justice Charles Wali of the Rivers State High Court had on May 10, issued an interim injunction that restrained the embattled lawmakers loyal to the immediate past Governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, from parading themselves as members of the assembly, having defected from the political party that sponsored their elections.

    The court order followed a suit that was filed by Victor Oko-Jumbo who subsequently emerged as the Speaker of the Assembly.

    The litigants, who are loyal to the incumbent governor of the state, Siminialayi Fubara, in their suit, contended that Amaewhule and the 24 other defected lawmakers ceased to be members of the Rivers State House of Assembly since Dec. 13, 2023, when their seats were declared vacant.

    While upholding the case of the plaintiffs, Justice Wali barred the pro-Wike lawmakers from accessing the Assembly complex or carrying out any legislative assignment in the name of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    However, dissatisfied with the verdict, Amaewhule and his colleagues approached the appellate court to set it aside.

    They argued that the state high court acted beyond its jurisdiction when it issued the restraining order against them.

    NAN

  • Rivers: Lawmakers want Reps member, Ugochinyere punished

    Rivers: Lawmakers want Reps member, Ugochinyere punished

    The Rivers Caucus in the House of Representatives has urged the leadership of the house to discipline Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) for allegedly spreading “falsehoods” on the escalating political crisis in Rivers.

    In a statement  by the leader of the caucus, Rep. Dumnamene Dekor (PDP-Rivers), the caucus alleged that Ugochinyere also engaged in spreading held-truth in the media.

    According to the caucus leader, Ugochinyere had thrown caution, decorum, and responsible conduct, expected of the high office he now occupies, to the wind.

    Delay said his interventions in the media were laden with blackmail, half-truths, outright lies, misinformation and disinformation, and malicious propaganda.

    The lawmaker explained that Ikenga’s prejudicial media statements also constituted a thoughtless assault on due process and ongoing judicial processes aimed at resolving the disagreement in Rivers.

    Dekor said the conduct of Ugochinyere impinged on the privileges of members of the caucus,  integrity of the house itself, and constituted a reckless violation of sections 49 and 72 of the Constitution.

    “The attention of the Rivers Caucus has been drawn to yet another unfortunate and misleading press briefing by Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere on Tuesday, June,  18, on the ongoing disagreement between the Governor of Rivers and the House of Assembly, and latterly, Local Government Chairmen.

    “To begin with, Ugochinyere is not from Rivers, so his political value is unquestionably non-existent, except to those who are naive enough to fall for his cheap gimmicks.

    “The current situation in Rivers does not concern him in any way because he is from Imo, a state that is grappling with myriad political and social issues of its own in respect of which Ugochinyere cannot find his voice.

    “The disagreement in Rivers has never been brought to the floor of the House of Representatives to warrant other members’ intervention in a debate.

    “His actions impinge on the privileges of members of the Rivers caucus, the integrity of the house itself, and constitute a reckless violation of the constitution vide sections 49 and 72.

    “We, hereby,  publicly call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to take urgent steps to discipline Ugochinyere,” he said. 

  • I used to have an affair With a Lawmaker – Brymo  

    I used to have an affair With a Lawmaker – Brymo  

    Nigerian singer, Brymo has opened up about his illicit affair with a female member of the Niger State House of Assembly.

    The musician revealed this in an audio message posted on his Instagram page, opening details about a previously unknown chapter of his life.

    In the message, Brymo described his experiences, stating that he had a hidden relationship with the female lawmaker, despite her marital status.

    He revealed that their relations went beyond simple friendship, describing intimate encounters between them.

    Brymo went on to explain how the politician invited him to perform at her sister’s wedding in Niger State.

    According to Brymo, the scenario took an unexpected turn when he arrived at the event and discovered the presence of another artist, whose identity he chose not to reveal.

    Following their alleged bedroom escapades, the singer showed concern in following the lawmaker’s request to perform for her husband.

    The musician said that the female politician lavishly compensated him for his performance both on and off stage.

  • 27 defected Rivers lawmakers can’t return – PDP

    27 defected Rivers lawmakers can’t return – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the 27 lawmakers at the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have lost their seats forever.

    The party said this in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba in Abuja.

    Ologunagba said that the clarification was necessary following a mischievous report in the social media claiming that there were plots to compromise the party’s position to return the defected lawmakers to their seats.

    “Our party therefore stands by its position that the affected members have since lost their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly having committed an unpardonable constitutional breach.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP in its counter claim by its National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023 filed at the Federal High Court Abuja stated clearly;

    “That the former Rivers State lawmakers “are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from Dec. 11, 2023 when they publicly announced their defection from the PDP to the APC.

    “For emphasis, the PDP in the said suit seeks among others the following Declaration/Orders against the former Rivers State lawmakers,’’ he said.

    He added: “A declaration that by provisions of Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the seats of the plaintiffs have been vacant since Dec. 11, 2023 when the plaintiffs announced their defection to the APC.

    “A declaration that the plaintiffs are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly having defected to the APC on Dec. 11, 2023.

    “An order directing the first defendant (INEC) to conduct bye-election in the respective constituencies of the plaintiffs in compliance with the provisions of the laws.

    “An Order of perpetual injunction restraining the plaintiffs from parading themselves and/or further parading themselves or from performing or further performing the functions and duties of members of Rivers House of Assembly.”

  • Rivers assembly crisis: Court strikes out LP’s suit against INEC

    Rivers assembly crisis: Court strikes out LP’s suit against INEC

    A Federal High Court in  Abuja on Monday struck out a suit filed by the Labour Party (LP) seeking an order compelling INEC to conduct fresh election in the Rivers House of Assembly to fill the seats of the defected lawmakers.

    Justice James Omotosho struck out the suit after counsel for the party, F. I. Adariku, applied to withdraw suit.

    In the suit, the LP had sought the order of the court to compel the commission to conduct fresh election to fill the seats of the lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC).

    But INEC, through its lawyer, Victor Giwa, disagreed with the LP.

    Giwa, in a preliminary objection filed on INEC’s behalf, prayed the court to dismiss the suit for being frivolous and incompetent.

    According to the lawyer, the suit is an abuse of court process.

    He urged the court to decline jurisdiction in the case as the plaintiff (LP) lacked the locus standi and territorial jurisdiction to institute the action.

    Giwa, a human rights activist, argued that there was a pending case currently ongoing at a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt judicial division with suit number: FHC/PH/CS/25/2024 before Justice E.A Obile.

    He said the Port Harcourt suit had same parties and concerned same subject matter which was filed earlier before the instant suit in February.

    However, after INEC filed its objection, the LP approached the court to withdraw the suit.

    Adariku, who held the brief of Kehinde Edun, the party’s national legal adviser, sought to withdraw the suit, praying the court to strike it out.

    A. S. Adisa, who held the brief of Giwa, did not oppose the application.

    The lawyer, however, sought for N500, 000 cost.

    The judge, in a ruling delivered on May 3 but its certified true copy sighted on Monday, ordered LP to pay N50, 000 cost.

    “It is hereby ordered as follows: that this matter having been withdrawn is hereby struck out.

    “That the cost of 50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) is awarded against the plaintiff in favour of the 29th defendant (INEC),” Justice Omotosho declared.

    NAN reports that other defendants in the suit were Gov. Siminalayi Fubara,  Dumle Maol, Major Jack, Franklin Uchenna Nwabochi, Christopher Ofiks, Azeru Opara, and Enemi George.

    It also included Granvill Wellington, Ngbar Bernard, John  Iderima, Queen Uwuma  Williams, . Loolo  Opuende and  Abbey Peter.

    Others are Igwe – Obey Aforii, Justina Emeji,  Ignatius Onwuka,  Hon. Chimezie Nwankwo, Lemchi Prince Nyeche,  Barile Nwakoh, Emilia  Amadi,  Nkemjika Ezekwe,  Davios  Oxobiriari,  Nwankwo Sylvanus, Gerald Oforii and  Wami Solomon.

  • Clamp down on marketers hoarding petrol – Lawmakers to security agencies

    Clamp down on marketers hoarding petrol – Lawmakers to security agencies

    The House of Representatives Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream and Midstream) have called on security agencies to clamp down on fuel marketers hoarding petrol and engaging in the arbitrary increment in the price of the premium commodity.

    The lawmakers gave the order through a statement on Wednesday jointly signed by the Chairmen of the two committees, Ikenga Ugochinyere and Henry Okojie, adding that they reached out to the stakeholders in the petroleum distribution value chain to end fuel queues in the country.

    Accoring to the lawmakers, they have engaged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to mention a few.

    “We have engaged extensively with them, with a view to ascertaining the cause of the resurgence of the fuel queues in petrol stations across the country,” their statement partly read.

    “From our investigations, we have discovered that there is availability of petrol products. We have on good authority that we have in our storage facilities, at least, about 1.5 billion litres of petrol that can last for 30 days.

  • Lawmaker petitions NASS over EEDC N2.1bn estimated billing in Enugu communities

    Lawmaker petitions NASS over EEDC N2.1bn estimated billing in Enugu communities

    Rep. Ibe Osonwa (LP-Abia) has petitioned the National Assembly, seeking explanations why some communities in the Ohafia Local Government area of Enugu have been denied power supply for five years.

    He said, in spite of the blackout for five years, exorbitant bills to the tune of N2.1 billion were being presented to the affected communities.

    Osonwa in a petition he submitted to the House of Representatives in Abuja on Friday, said that the communities were seeking explanation on how they accumulated a bill of N2.1bn in spite of not having power supply for five years.

    According to him, several attempts have been made towards the amicable resolution of the lingering issues occassioned by the perpetual darkness in the affected communities, but to no avail.

    He said that in spite of efforts made by Abia State deputy governor, Mr Ikechukwu Emetu, who is from the affected area, to ensure that the communities celebrate Christmas with power it wasn’t achieved.

    According to him, the Deputy Governor did all he could within his power, from replacing fallen poles, lines that were down,saying a lot of money has been  spent by the community but, to no avail.

    “The EEDC claimed that one of the lingering issues is alleged vandalism, which the governor and his deputy have agreed to resolve.”

    He said the most worrisome of the issues raised by EEDC was the over N2.1bn debt billed against the communities how it was accumulated? he quarried .

    “What they are telling us is that we should pay the money and they will give us power, but we are telling them to supply us power, then we resolve the so-called outstanding debt.”

    He said that the estimated bill presented to the communities by EEDC was unjustified and unwarranted.

    He said even his biological father, who died nearly three years ago, was presented an outstanding debt for the power his consumes amounting to N600,000.

     

  • Ogun Speaker stops suspension of Oluomo by lawmakers

    Ogun Speaker stops suspension of Oluomo by lawmakers

    The Speaker, Ogun Assembly, Mr Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda), on Tuesday overturned the decision of other lawmakers to suspend the impeached Speaker of the state assembly, Olakunle Oluomo (APC-Ifo1).

    Elemide had during plenary in Abeokuta stepped down a motion moved by Babatunde Tella (APC-Abeokuta North) and co-sponsored by five other lawmakers to suspend Oluomo for 14 legislative days.

    Tella, the Deputy Chief Whip, had opened the debate on the motion, stating that the House noted with serious concern and dismay the unwholesome attitude of the former speaker.

    The lawmaker explained that the attitude was detrimental to the physical, mental and moral well-being of the House, saying that the attitude was putting the image of the House in bad light and disrepute.

    “Further note is the fact that by taking this House to the court of law, he had shown a clear manifestation of an unfriendly disposition and disregard to the laws and statutes guiding the operations of this House.

    “The former speaker has breached the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act of 2018, Section 21 on Pre-action notice.

    “A person who has cause of action against a legislative House shall give three months written notice to the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative House disclosing the cause of action and relief sought,’’ Tella said.

    According to him, however, consequent upon the fact that Oluomo has refused to follow due process before taking this House to the court of Law, he has contravened the laws guiding the operations of this House.

    “He is guilty as he cannot claim ignorance being a former speaker of the same House.

    “Consequently, having been deemed guilty of the above as there is no record of three months notice being sent to the Office of the Clerk; an action that contravened the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act 2018.

    “I, therefore, in consonance with Order 10 Rule 71 (4) move that Olakunle Oluomo be suspended from the activity of this Honorable House for 14 legislative days,” he said.

    Other lawmakers who spoke in support of the motion included the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye (PDP-Odogbolu), Adegoke Adeyanju (APC-Yewa North 1), Oluseun Adesanya (PDP-Ijebu North East) and Waliu Owode (PDP-Ijebu East).

    The lawmakers explained that the former speaker’s activities were in violation of the rules and regulations of the House.

    Ruling on the motion, Elemide pleaded with the lawmakers to consider the state and the efforts of Gov. Dapo Abiodun-led administration in conjunction with the legislature in turning around the state for better.

    He noted that such efforts could only yield the desired results for the advancement of the state, when there is peace and tranquility in all spheres of governance, hence the need to suspend action on the matter.

    The speaker explained that although Oluomo had violated the regulations of the House, the present leadership would be magnanimous in always upholding the sanity of the institution, being the symbol of democracy.

    The Assembly had on Jan. 30 ratified the impeachment of Oluomo as the speaker.

  • Court restrains IG, DSS from withdrawing security details attached to Rivers lawmakers

    Court restrains IG, DSS from withdrawing security details attached to Rivers lawmakers

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, gave an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Inspector-General (IG) of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from withdrawing the security details attached to the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers House of Assembly.

    Justice Donatus Okorowo made the order in a ruling on a motion on notice moved by Steve Adehi, SAN, and which was not opposed by the defence counsel  including Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s National Legal Adviser.

    Justice Okorowo directed the police and DSS to provide them with adequate security in carrying out their legislative functions.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motion on notice, dated and filed on Dec 13, 2023, sought five orders of interlocutory injunctions.

    The 26 lawmakers had, in the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023/, sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, the assembly, clerk of the assembly, I-G and DSS as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

    The motion was deposed to by Amaewhule, the Speaker of the assembly.

    Upon resumed hearing, Adehi informed the court of the pending application and went ahead to move the motion, which was not opposed by other lawyers.

    Responding, Ajibade said though he would not object to the application, he said the PDP was preparing for trial and would file its pleading in the next adjourned date.

    He insisted that the 26 lawmakers would have to vacate their seats, having dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in disregard to the provisions of the law

    Ken Njemanze, SAN, who appeared for the House of Assembly (3rd defendant), and Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, who represented the clerk of the assembly (4th defendant), did not oppose Adehi’s application.

    Delivering the ruling, Justice Okorowo made an order of interlocutory injunction restraining INEC and the House of Assembly from declaring vacant or taking any step to declare vacant the seats of the lawmakers pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    The judge also made an order of interlocutory injunction restraining INEC from withdrawing their certificates of return or conducting fresh elections to fill their seats pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    He made an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants jointly and severally from interfering with the official rights and privileges of the speaker, deputy speaker and members of the assembly.

    Justice Okorowo adjourned the matter until Feb. 16 for mention.

    Recall that the judge had, on Dec. 17, 2023, gave an interim order restraining all the defendants from taking any action over the defection of the lawmakers until the substantive suit is determined.

    Okorowo gave the ruling in an ex-parte motion moved by counsel who appeared for the defected lawmakers, Peter Onuh.

    Besides, a brother judge, Justice James Omotosho, on Monday, set aside the N800 billion 2024 budget passed by five members of the house led by its factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, and signed into law by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara on Dec. 14, 2023.

    Justice Omotosho, in a judgment, also barred the National Assembly from taking over the assembly’s function, among others.

    However, Justice J. O. Abdulmalik of a FHC, in her ruling on Monday, directed the parties not to take further steps pending the hearing and determination of the suit brought before the court by six elders of the state.

    Abdulmalik ordered all the parties to maintain status quo and adjourned until Feb. 28 for hearing.

    NAN