The court of Appeal has ordered lawmakers in Rivers State to maintain the current status quo and postpones proceedings until June 20th.
During a virtual session conducted via Zoom on Friday, the Court of Appeal in Port-Harcourt delivered its judgment on two motions submitted by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule and other legislators who had defected.
These motions contested an injunction issued by the Rivers State High Court, which restrained them from functioning as lawmakers.
The court granted permission for the appellants to compile and forward the Records of Appeal, while accelerating the hearing process and halting further actions at the High Court. However, it declined the request to suspend execution and revoke the interim order of the lower court, emphasizing that such actions would prematurely decide the appeal.
The court instructed the preservation of the present status quo until the appeal hearing on June 20th. Additionally, the court dismissed the motion to annul the lower court’s interlocutory injunction, reiterating the need to maintain the current state of affairs.
Respondents were given a 72-hour window to submit their briefs. The case has been adjourned until June 20th for the appeal hearing.
