Federal High Court Dismisses Defection Suit Against 27 Rivers State Lawmakers Aligned With Nyesom Wike
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed against 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who are loyal to Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The suit sought to replace the lawmakers due to their alleged defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
On Friday, Justice Peter Lifu, delivering the ruling, rejected the suit filed by the Action People’s Party (APP) on multiple grounds. The court ruled that the case was statute-barred since it was not filed within the 14-day legal timeframe. The defection in question occurred in December of the previous year, while the APP filed its case on July 12, eight months after the event.
Additionally, Justice Lifu deemed the suit an abuse of court process, citing the fact that several other cases regarding the alleged defection of the same 27 lawmakers had already been adjudicated by the Federal High Court. He referenced a July ruling by Justice James Omotosho, which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from declaring the lawmakers’ seats vacant or conducting any fresh elections.
Lifu emphasized that, since Justice Omotosho’s ruling remains unchallenged and in force, it would be inappropriate for him to review the matter. The judge, therefore, dismissed the suit on three primary grounds.
