CSO Cautions Against Plot To Compromise Rivers Judiciary

The Society for Open Justice in Nigeria, a civil society organization, has accused a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly of attempting to overturn an interim injunction issued by the Rivers State High Court.

This injunction had prohibited Speaker Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers from acting as legislators. In a statement released by their president, Oloyede Kadiri, the group claimed that the ex-members of the Assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership were working on reversing the court’s decision.

Kadiri claimed that the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly is vigorously working to overturn the judgment by utilizing all possible legal avenues. He warned that this poses a significant threat to democracy in both Rivers state and Nigeria.

A group of ex-legislators, supported by certain parties in Abuja, are seeking to overturn a court ruling that prohibits 25 defendants from convening legislative sessions at the House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt.

They claim to have influence over the judiciary through their Abuja ally and confidently predict that the Rivers State High Court’s decision will be reversed.

Compromising the integrity of the Appeal Court is a direct attack on democracy. Those responsible for the current political deadlock in Rivers State are undermining democratic principles.

Allowing this situation to persist in Rivers State sets a dangerous precedent for the entire country, potentially leading to the erosion of democracy in Nigeria.

A group has cautioned 25 former lawmakers against engaging in political manipulation and disruptive behavior that hinders governance.

These lawmakers must acknowledge that their actions have tarnished the reputation of Rivers State and prioritized loyalty to an individual over serving the people.

Their actions raise questions about whether their loyalty lies with the people of Rivers State or with a master who has promised not to withhold the benefits of democracy from them.

The Society for Open Justice in Nigeria is deeply concerned about this behavior from an elected group that seems to have abandoned its principles for personal gain, said Kadiri.

The organization also urged the Justices of the Appeal Court to remain impartial and not be swayed by any attempts to influence their decision in favor of the 25 lawmakers.

The Society for Open Justice is appealing to the Honourable Justices of the Appeal Court to resist any external pressures in the Rivers State situation, as we are aware of significant efforts being made to obstruct justice.

The group expressed outrage at the paymaster’s claim of manipulating the judiciary, viewing it as a direct insult to the nation and its citizens.

They condemned his public denigration of the judiciary’s integrity. The group firmly believes that the esteemed Justices of the Appeal Court will uphold principles of fairness and justice, rejecting any attempts at influence.

They emphasized that Nigeria is a nation governed by law, not a place where individuals can arbitrarily infringe upon the rights and freedoms of its people.

Recall the ongoing power struggle for control of the Rivers State House of Assembly, where 25 ex-legislators aligned with the former governor switched from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

This move sparked a series of legal battles. Justice Charles Wali of the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt issued a temporary injunction preventing Amaewhule and his colleagues from participating in legislative activities or identifying as members of the state House of Assembly until a final decision is reached in court.