Rivers Crisis: Court Issues Interim Injunction Against Rivers State Assembly’s Tenure Extension.
The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an interim injunction, directing the maintenance of the status quo following the Rivers House of Assembly’s attempt to extend the tenures of elected local government council officials.
This move by the Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule, came amidst political turmoil and involved amendments to the Local Government Law Number 5 of 2018.
Amaewhule clarified that the amendments aimed to grant the House of Assembly the authority, via resolution, to prolong the tenure of elected chairmen and councilors in instances where holding local government elections before the expiration of their three-year term is deemed impractical.
Presided over by G.N. Okonkwo, the court instructed all parties to maintain the status quo ante belum until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for the interlocutory injunction, scheduled for April 22, 2024.
According to The Nation, Okonkwo ordered an undertaking of indemnification to the defendants in the sum of N5 million should the substantive case be deemed frivolous.
The court also mandated substituted service of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction and other relevant processes on the defendants.
The lawsuit was filed by Executive Chairman Enyiada Cooky-Gam of Opobo-Nkoro, Anengi Claude-Wilcox of Bonny, and five other elected council officials.
They challenge the Assembly’s decision to extend the tenure of local government areas. Defendants named in the suit include the Governor of Rivers State, the Government of Rivers State, and the Attorney-General of Rivers State.
The claimants seek declarations affirming the three-year tenure of office and perpetual injunctions against any extension by the defendants.
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