A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit filed by the Labour Party in Rivers State challenging the alleged defection of the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 26 other lawmakers.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Emmanuel Obile ruled that the matter had already been addressed by the Supreme Court and, therefore, fell outside his court’s jurisdiction.
The judge noted that the apex court had conclusively determined the core issue of defection, rendering further adjudication at the lower court unnecessary.
Counsel to the defendants, Ken Njemanze, SAN, in his final written address, urged the court to dismiss the suit, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling which upheld the legitimacy of the lawmakers.
However, counsel to the Labour Party, Clifford Chuku, contended that the question of defection was a collateral issue that was not fully considered by the Supreme Court and asked the court to hear the matter.
Despite this argument, the court upheld the preliminary objection and dismissed the case.