In a significant development, Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has extended an interim injunction, preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from taking any action against 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This decision came in response to an application made by the lawmakers’ counsel, Steve Adehi. Justice Okorowo cited Order 26, Rule 10 of the Federal High Court, emphasizing the discretionary power of the court to grant such injunctions in the interest of justice.
Expressing conviction in the reasons presented by the lawmakers’ counsel, the judge underlined the significance of ensuring justice in this matter. Consequently, he extended the injunction and scheduled the next hearing for January 24.
This ruling marks a crucial development in the ongoing political dynamics in Rivers State, where the rights and status of the defecting lawmakers have been a subject of intense debate and legal scrutiny. The decision by Justice Okorowo serves as a crucial intervention to safeguard the interests of the lawmakers amid the political transition.
The extension of the injunction not only provides legal protection to the lawmakers but also sets the stage for a significant legal and political showdown in the weeks to come. This ruling is poised to have far-reaching implications, influencing the political landscape in Rivers State and beyond.
As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the intricate intersection of law, politics, and justice continues to shape the destiny of the 26 defecting lawmakers and reverberate across the Nigerian political spectrum.
