Wike vs Fubara: Tension Soars in Rivers State As Court Quashes Order Barring Pro-Wike’s Amaewhule, 24 Others from Functioning As Lawmakers

The New Diplomat
Writer

Ad

Nigeria’s FX Reserves Surge to $41bn Under Tinubu, But Still Lower Than Obasanjo’s $67bn

By Abiola Olawale Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves have reached a 44-month high, climbing to $41 billion as of August 19, 2025, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). According to recent data from the CBN, this milestone reflects a steady accumulation driven by strategic economic reforms, increased oil production, and enhanced…

Trump slaps sanctions on Canadian International Criminal Court judge

The Trump administration slapped a Canadian judge on the International Criminal Court with sanctions as the U.S. State Department continues to push back on the tribunal. The State Department said Wednesday that Kimberly Prost was sanctioned for “ruling to authorize the ICC’s investigation into U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.” The ICC website says Prost has been…

Reprieve as Trump’s half-billion-dollar civil fraud penalty is voided by court

By Obinna Uballa A New York state appeals court on Thursday overturned a civil fraud penalty of more than $500 million imposed on President Donald Trump, ruling that the monetary sanction violated the U.S. Constitution. The Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court held that the fine—initially set at $454 million and now…

Ad

By Abiola Olawale

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, struck out an order of a Rivers high court which restrained Hon. Martin Amaewhule and 24 others from parading themselves as lawmakers of the Rivers state House of Assembly.

In a judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court held that the Rivers State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to grant the exparte order on the matter.

The court ruled that, Section 272(3) of the Constitution gave the Federal High Court the exclusive authority to adjudicate on the issue of whether a seat of a House of Assembly member has been vacated or not.

According to the court, the express mention of the Federal High Court in Section 272 (3) of the Constitution automatically excludes all state high courts from having the jurisdiction.

The appellate court held that the exparte order having been made without jurisdiction is null and void.

It would be recalled that in May, 2024, the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt issued an order prohibiting the now factional Speaker of the state House of Assembly loyal to the immediate past Governor of the state and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Nyesom Wike, as well as 24 lawmakers from presenting themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The order was given by Justice Charles N. Wali in a case with suit number PHC/1512/CS/2024, filed by Victor Oko Jumbo, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, along with Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy, members of the Assembly.

The New Diplomat reports that Rivers State has been in the news for over eight months over the acrimonious war between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his immediate predecessor, Wike.

While the reasons for the acrimony between the duo remain top secret, some insider sources had consistently pointed out that Wike and Fubara had been purportedly battling for control of the oil-rich state’s resources and political machinery.

The crisis has since festered, as about 25 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly including the Speaker, Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule purportedly dumped the PDP and issued threats to impeach Fubara.

However, the lawmakers have since denied the defection rumours, saying they are still card-carry members of the PDP.

Ad

X whatsapp