Rivers Sets Record Straight On Supreme Court Judgment

The Rivers State Government has issued a press release to correct the misinformation circulating in the media regarding the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Governor of Rivers State V Rivers State House of Assembly and 15 others.

Speaking at a Press Briefing Yesterday, Attorney General/ Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, emphasized that the Supreme Court did not reinstate Martin Amaewhule and 26 others as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He said explained that Instead, the court dismissed the appeal filed by the Governor due to its lack of utilitarian value, as the 2024 budget is now spent and cannot be brought back into operation.

He emphasized that the case was primarily about the Appropriation Law 2024, and the defection of Martin Amaewhule and 26 others from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress was not an issue for determination.

He explained: “On the 29th day of November, 2023, Martin Chike Amaewhule & Anor instituted Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Here are copies of their originating summons containing the 11 (eleven) reliefs claimed by Martin Chike Amaewhule and others.

“On the 11th day of December, 2023 while Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 was pending at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Martin Chike Amaewhule & 26 others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress and automatically lost their seats as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“In Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023, the defection of Martin Amaewhule and 26 others was not an issue. Thus, it was not a question for determination. It was also not an issue for determination in the resultant appeals.

“Furthermore, before judgment was delivered in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023, Martin Chike Amaewhule and 26 others did not inform the court that they have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

“Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 amongst others was principally about the Appropriation Law 2024, (a.k.a 2024 budget).

“We are in the year 2025 with a 2025 Appropriation Bill already passed and signed into law and in operation.

“The Appropriation Law 2024 is now totally spent and cannot be brought back into operation. The monies in the Appropriation Law 2024 having been spent cannot be recalled and spent again.

“The Appropriation Law 2024 being spent by reason of its expiration, SC/CV/1701/2024 became merely academic and of no utilitarian value.”

He urged the public to ignore the false narrative and propaganda being spread by Amaewhule and his lawyers regarding the Supreme Court judgment. He government assured that it will continue to uphold the rule of law and defend the constitution.

Rivers Sets Record Straight On Supreme Court Judgment is first published on The Whistler Newspaper