IMPEACHMENT LATEST: RIVERS GOV. SUES HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, OTHERS, AS COURT GRANTS LEAVE OF SUBSTITUTED SERVICE

By Emeka Amaefula

IMPEACHMENT LATEST: RIVERS GOV. SUES HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, OTHERS, AS COURT GRANTS LEAVE OF SUBSTITUTED SERVICE

The lingering impeachment saga against Rivers state Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara has not yet abated as Rivers state High Court grants the Governor who is Claimant in a suit no. IHC/230/CS/2023 in which the peace loving Rivers state governor sued as Sir Siminialayi Fubara as well as Executive Governor of Rivers state against Rivers state House of Assembly; Speaker of Rivers state House of Assembly ; Deputy Speaker Rivers State House of Assembly; Clerk of Rivers State House of Assembly and Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers state all five are defendants in the suit holden at Isiokpo High Court in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers state. The Rivers state governor represented by his Counsels D. O Okoro, SAN with I. Mac-Barango filed this matter on the 31^st day of October, 2023 seeking for Order For interim injunction upon motion Ex-Parte which was granted by the Presiding Honourable Justice O. Ben-Whyte on 1^st November, 2023 upon hearing and determination reading of the supporting affidavit of Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

The presiding Justice O. Ben-Whyte in his ruling Ordered as follows “It is hereby ordered that the parties in this case maintain the status quo in this case by not doing anything in furtherance of the purported impeachment of the applicant as the Governor of Rivers state pending the determination of the motion on Notice. This case was adjourned to 14/11/2023 for argument of the Motion on Notice. Given At Isiokpo High Court under the Seal; of the court and the Hand of the presiding Judge this 1^st Day of November, 2023.”

In a Certified True Copy Court document obtained by this reporter signed Assistant Chief Registrar Wachukwu Anthony Ogurie, Upon the Motion for the Order for Substituted service it was averred that “Upon this Motion coming before this Honourable Court for Hearing and determination and after reading the supporting Affidavit of Solomon Ayotamuno filed on the 6^th day of November, 2023 at the Isiokpo Registry Isiokpo, and having listened to the submission of D.O Okoro SAN with G.S Okuru Esq. of the Counsel for the Claimant/Applicant

It is hereby Ordered as Follows: That leave be and is hereby granted to the Claimant/Applicant to effect service of the Originating Summons, Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction, Order form maintenance of status quo and all other subsequent processes in this suit on the 1^st-4^th Defendants by Substituted Service means to wit: by publication in “ThisDay Newspaper” and “The Nation Newspapers.

That in addition to the publication of the processes in the above National Newspapers, the Claimant/Applicant shall effect service of the processes by pasting the same at the gate of the residence or office of the 1^st-4^th Defendants.

This case is adjourned to the 4^th day of December, 2023 for argument of the motion for interlocutory Injunction.” The certified True copy was signed on 22^nd Day of November, 2023 under the seal of the court and the hand of the presiding Judge with assistant Chief Registrar Wachukwu Anthony Ogurie on 24^th of November 2023.

———–Emeka Amaefula —————+234(0)8111813069