Court grants substituted service for Amaewhule-led lawmakers

The Federal High Court in Port-Harcourt has approved a motion by constituents of the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly members for substituted service.

Presiding Judge, Justice Emmanuel Obile on Monday, granted the order due to challenges in serving the lawmakers with court documents.

The constituents are seeking clarification on section 109 sub-section 1 of the 1999 Constitution regarding lawmakers’ defection from their original political party.

They are also requesting that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, organize fresh elections for the affected state constituency seats.

Justice Obile adjourned the matter to May 16th for further proceedings.

Recall that 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State Assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, citing a crisis within the national leadership of the PDP.

Their defection followed the crisis that rocked the political space in the state, following the burning of the hallowed chamber of the State Assembly, and the subsequent proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The political crisis in Rivers State is a result of the rift between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.