Court Of Appeal Nullifies Expulsion Of Rivers Lawmakers

The Court of Appeal has nullified the expulsion of Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly.

A 3-member panel of the appellate court unanimously held that the Rivers State High Court lacked jurisdiction to grant the exparte order, citing Section 272(3) of the Constitution.

According to the court, the federal high court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether the seat of a House of Assembly member has become vacant.

The judge stated that the explicit mention of the federal high court in section 272(3) of the constitution automatically excludes state high courts from having jurisdiction in such matters.

Consequently, the exparte order was made without jurisdiction and is therefore null and void.

Details shortly…