Court Dismisses Suit Seeking to Replace Pro-Wike Lawmakers in Rivers State

The APP’s case was ultimately dismissed, upholding the position of the 27 Pro-Wike lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Abuja, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to replace 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who are loyal to former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The lawsuit, filed by the Action People’s Party (APP), sought to remove the lawmakers over their alleged defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, Justice Peter Lifu, who presided over the case, dismissed the suit on multiple grounds.

In his ruling delivered on Friday, Justice Lifu noted that the suit was statute-barred, as it was not filed within the 14-day period allowed by law. The alleged defection took place in December of the previous year, but the APP did not file the case until July 12, eight months after the incident.

Furthermore, Justice Lifu ruled that the case was a “gross abuse of the court process,” citing the fact that several previous suits on the same matter had already been adjudicated by the Federal High Court. He referenced a ruling by Justice James Omotosho, delivered in July, in which the court restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from declaring the lawmakers’ seats vacant or conducting fresh elections to replace them.

Justice Lifu emphasized that since the earlier ruling had neither been appealed nor overturned, it remained binding and valid concerning the lawmakers’ alleged defection.

He also stated that re-litigating the issue would be a waste of judicial resources, as it would amount to a review of a decision from the same court.

The APP’s case was ultimately dismissed, upholding the position of the 27 Pro -Wike lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly.