A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Tuesday dismissed a case filed against 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The suit, brought by the Labour Party, asked the court to declare the lawmakers’ seats empty after they reportedly left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Emmanuel Obile, who handled the matter, ruled to strike out the case after reviewing arguments from both sides.
The lawmakers’ legal team pointed to a Supreme Court ruling, which they said confirmed the leadership of Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara Claims
They also said that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara had already dropped similar claims of defection in another case heard in Abuja.
Labour Party Insists
The Labour Party, however, maintained that the issue should still be addressed.
Their lawyer insisted that the matter of the lawmakers’ defection was not resolved and asked the court to continue with the case based on the documents already submitted.
Court Dismisses Claim
Despite their efforts, the court sided with the defendants and dismissed the case, putting an end to the legal challenge against the 27 lawmakers.
