PDP disowns court order restraning Evans Bipi as Speaker of Rivers Assembly

December 17, 2013



The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has threatened to report Justice C. N. WALI of the Ahoada High Court to the National Judicial Council, NJC, over the order against Evans Bipi of the Rivers House of Assembly.

The State PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah said he could not understand how a matter that was filed on Friday last week was ruled on Monday in favour of the claimant.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Obuah claimed that due process was not followed in the determination of the case.

He accused the judge of playing stooge to Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Obuah said the PDP would respond appropriately as soon as it receives and studies the court order.

Meanwhile, a socio-political group, Grassroot Development Initiative, GDI, has questioned the rationale behind the order.

The group in a media briefing held in Port Harcourt described the order as “anarchical”.

President General of the group, Bright Amaewhule said he wondered the Chief Judge of Rivers State that assigned the said case to Justice C.N Wali.

The group, however, said it does not recognize the order, adding that Evans Bipi remained the recognized Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

It could be recalled that following the persisting crisis that had engulfed the Rivers State House of Assembly, a High Court in Ahaoda, Rivers State presided over by Justice C.N Wali gave an order that the member representing Ogu-Bolo Constituency in the Assembly, Evans Bipi should stop parading himself as the Speaker of the Assembly.

In the meantime, the Rivers State House of Assembly in old GRA Port Harcourt has been reopened.

This came seven days after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the National Assembly to return the legislative function of the House to the State Assembly members.

However, there was no lawmaker around when Dailypost visited the Assembly complex on Moscow Road, but policemen were seen combing the premises to ensure that it was secured.

We gathered that the Rivers State Police Command has requested the House of Assembly members to sign an undertaking before they would be allowed to resume sitting.

However, the Deputy Speaker, Leyii Kwanee showed a letter from the Police Command to newsmen.

The Deputy Speaker said even if the police decide to end their occupation of the Assembly Complex, the House would not resume sitting immediately, until an inventory is taken to determine if the complex was in perfect condition.

Kwane had earlier led members of the House to sympathize with traders at Mile One Market in Port Harcourt whose shops and goods were destroyed in a fire outbreak that started Monday night.

Kwanee assured the traders that the Assembly would ensure that the state government constructs a new market for them.

He said cost of the new market would be added to the 2014 appropriation bill.

In his response, Chairman of the market union, Deacon Kenneth Eze thanked the lawmakers for their sympathy with the traders.

Similarly, as part of its oversight function the Rivers State House of Assembly has called on all contractors in the state to ensure quality delivery.

The assembly made the call during their inspection of road construction projects at D-line, Port Harcourt.

Speaking on behalf of the assembly, Deputy speaker, Leyii kwanee said the assembly embarked on the inspection to ensure that state government projects were not poorly implemented.

He assured that all projects under the administration of Governor Amaechi would be completed before the end of their tenure in 2015.

Responding to the lawmakers’ comments, the state commissioner for works, Victor Giadom said the Ministry of works would ensure that all projects in the state met the set standard.

babyface333: Gorrilla! How work na? This your work must be very tasking oooooo.

Hope they will give you a bag of rice for xmas gift?

eGuerrilla:

I see the one from a lineage of lower animals has reared its ugly head on this thread

babyface333: The one and only gorrila. My good friend, how are your brothers chimpanzee and apes doing in the zoo. Next time the zoo-keeper releases you out of the cage, please beg him to let chimpanzee and ape follow you.

The one and only gorrila of nairaland.

Goddex: See how Ameachi abuses his powers and corrupts the Judiciary?
A case filed on Friday was ruled on Monday.