River Crisis: Pro-Fubara lawmakers hold sitting, rejects Appeal Court’s decision

Victor Oko-Jumbo, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has declared his intention to contest the recent Appeal Court ruling related to the assembly’s internal conflict.

On Thursday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja reversed the Rivers State High Court’s decision to expel Martin Amaewhule and 24 other members from the House of Assembly.

However, Oko-Jumbo, speaking during a plenary session on Friday, expressed his faction’s disagreement with the appellate court’s decision.

“We firmly believe that the Court of Appeal erred in its judgment, particularly in concluding that the Rivers State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear SUIT NO PHC/1512/CS/2024,” Oko-Jumbo stated.

“Consequently, we have directed our legal team to file an appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria to challenge this ruling.”

Meeting at a temporary chamber in the Government House, as designated by an executive order from Governor Siminalayi Fubara in December, the lawmakers also reviewed two new bills.

These include the “Rivers State Emergency Management Agency Bill, 2024,” introduced by Sokari Goodboy, and the “Rivers State Transport Reform Bill, 2024,” sponsored by Deputy Speaker Adolpus Timothy. Both bills successfully passed their first readings.