The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has scheduled April 16, 2025, to deliver its ruling on an application seeking to dismiss a defection case filed by the Labour Party (LP) against 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, ThisDay Nigeria reports.

The Labour Party is challenging the legality of the lawmakers’ seats, arguing that they defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and should therefore vacate their positions.

During the hearing, counsel for the defendants, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, urged the court to strike out the suit, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment that reinstated Amaewhule’s leadership of the Assembly.

Presenting the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court’s ruling, the defense counsel argued that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who initially raised the defection allegations, had since withdrawn the case at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

However, counsel to Labour Party, Clifford Chukwu, countered the argument, stating that the defection issue was a “collateral matter” in the Supreme Court case.

He asked the court to consider the evidence before it rather than dismiss the suit outright.

The Supreme Court had ruled on February 29 that, in the absence of clear and substantiated proof, no legal defection had taken place, maintaining the status quo in the Assembly.

Speaking to Newsmen after the court session, Chukwu affirmed that he had presented his case and that the court’s decision on April 16 would determine the validity of the defense’s arguments.

Maxymilliano:
The case will be thrown out by the court as Labour Party has no locust standing or business meddling in the affairs of the assembly they are not a part of.

Maxymilliano:
The case will be thrown out by the court as Labour Party has no locust standing or business meddling in the affairs of the assembly they are not a part of.

Mumusaphire:
But sorry, If court now said they should vacate the sit due to they already decamped , what will happen to supreme judgment ?

Dannyset:
I understand the court is in Rivers State, but I am very sure the Judge is fully aware of the Supreme Court pronouncement on this issue.

Any Judge whatsoever that gives a judgement contrary to the SP judgement will be thoroughly sanctioned.

Mumusaphire:
But sorry, If court now said they should vacate the sit due to they already decamped , what will happen to supreme judgment ?

etrouble:
Supreme Court judgements are God’s Judgements. They are final. Any Hugh Court judge that rules against Supreme Court decisions will sacked from the bench.

etrouble:


Thus one will be sacked and imprisoned because he cannot say that he is not aware of the Supreme Court judgement because the defence counsel has brought it to the knowledge of the Court. If he rules against it, he will be sacked, his Law certificate will be withdrawn by the Nigerian Law School and he will be prosecuted and imprisoned

Infoguy666:


https://thisdaynigeria.news/2025/03/17/court-reserves-ruling-on-defection-case-against-27-rivers-lawmakers/

southsouthking:
It's getting interesting, the battle is far from over.

Mumusaphire:
But sorry, If court now said they should vacate the sit due to they already decamped , what will happen to supreme judgment ?

etrouble:


Supreme Court judgements are God’s Judgements. They are final. Any Hugh Court judge that rules against Supreme Court decisions will sacked from the bench.

Lexusgs430:


I wonder why lawyers don't read case precedents(advice their clients accordingly) .... Or is this just a deliberate ploy, to keep wasting time......