The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the dismissal of 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Vanguard, the unanimous decision by a three-man panel of justices determined that the Rivers State High Court lacked jurisdiction in issuing the order.
The lawmakers, including Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had been restrained from acting as Assembly members following a suit by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, who contested their defection from the party that sponsored their election.
The High Court's interim injunction on May 10 prevented them from legislative duties.
However, the appellate court's ruling, delivered by Justices Jimi Olukayode Bada, Hamma Akawu Barka, and Balikisu Bello Aliyu, invalidated the previous orders against the lawmakers.
The court further instructed the parties to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the appeal.
The dispute arose when the legislators, initially elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), switched allegiance to the APC on December 11, 2023. Consequently, the Rivers Assembly, led by former Speaker Edison Ehie, declared their seats vacant on December 13, 2023.