By Tolúlopé Olátúnjí
A judgement of the Court of Appeal sitting in Rivers State in respect of the status of the 27 Lawmakers in Rivers State, has been applauded by the National Vanguard for Rule of Law (NVRL), for upholding the removal of Martins Chike Amaewhule and 26 others from the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The decision came after the 27 former members sought to overturn an interlocutory injunction issued by a High Court in Port Harcourt.
This injunction had empowered Oko Jumbo to remain as the speaker of the state assembly. Justice Charles Wali of the State High Court had also ordered Amaewhule and the 26 others to cease parading themselves as speaker and lawmakers in the legislative arm of the state.
It would be recalled that in a virtual ruling delivered on Friday, the appellate court stated that reversing the decision of the Federal High Court, which declared their seats vacant, would pre-judge the appeal currently before it.
In a statement signed by Comrade Johnson Babatunde, NVRL expressed that the ruling has revived faith in the judiciary.
The statement read: “If the prayer to reverse the restraining order on the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly was granted, they would have used that window to perpetrate more mischief against the government and people of Rivers State.”
The group further asserted: “With justices like those of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal still in the temple of justice, it is our conviction that hope is not lost in the Nigerian judiciary.”
NVRL called on Nigerians to commend and support judges who deliver sound judgments, as these decisions contribute to making Nigeria a better place.
The statement continued: “It is our belief that our judges will deliver sound judgments in the other cases on the political crisis in Rivers State.”
Furthermore, the NVRL also urged Nigerian judges to continue delivering judgments that restore public confidence in the judiciary, emphasizing that “justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done, as the court remains the last hope of the common man.”
