NEWS UPDATE: Issue of 27 defected lawmakers’ legitimacy not before Supreme Court – Rivers Govt

Government of Rivers State has said the crucial issue of whether the defected lawmakers were still legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly was not before the Supreme Court of Nigeria for resolution.

He said this was still at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for determination and could not have been determined at the level of Supreme Court.

In a statement by Joe Johnson, the Commissioner of Information and Communications, the state government said they had taken note of reports in the media regarding the recent judgment of the Supreme Court concerning the funds of Rivers State and the administration of local governments in the state.

“At this time, we are awaiting a detailed briefing on the implications of the judgment. We will carefully evaluate the situation and determine the next steps to take in the best interest of Rivers State and its people.

“Though we have not got the details of the judgment from our legal team, we enjoin Rivers people to remain calm, law abiding and go about our legitimate businesses as we seek clarity on the judgment.

“We believe that the determination of the main issue of defection of the 27 lawmakers is a matter not before the Supreme Court as it is pending at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. Since the issue of defection wasn’t on the table before the learned Justices, in their eyes, Amaewhule and the 26 others are still operating as lawmakers until that matter of defection comes before them.”

The government assure the people that they remained committed to upholding their mandate to protect the best interest and the rule of law in all matters affecting Rivers State.

Reacting, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the Chibuike Amaechi-backed faction, described the Supreme Court rulings as reckless and a call to violence in the state.