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  • I survived kidnap, assassination by God’s mercies – RSHA Speaker

    I survived kidnap, assassination by God’s mercies – RSHA Speaker

    Mr Martin Amaewhule, Speaker, Rivers House of Assembly says he is thankful to God for surviving, kidnap, assassination attempt in the past years.

    Amaewhule made this known during his 52nd birthday thanksgiving service at the All Saints Anglican Church, Eliozu, Obio/Apkor Local Government Area, Rivers.

    “I am not just marking another birthday but acknowledging that many people had planned to take his life in the last one year, but God didn’t allow them.’’

    Recounting how he survived a harrowing experience in 2008, he said that he narrowly escaped death during the incident.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Wike, Fubara, Amaewhule make public appearance after fresh peace talks

    Amaewhule noted that he was abducted by some unidentified gunmen at his resident as he arrived after a Sunday church service.

    “Some of you were here in 2008 when a preacher was preaching right here on a Sunday service, on that faithful day, I didn’t know the people who came to kidnap me were also in the service.

    “After service, they tactically followed me to my residence, tied up my security guard and abducted me and took me to a forest where they held me hostage for five days.

    “They placed thorns under my feet and inflicted several injuries on my head and body in the process of moving me from one hideout to another within the forest.

    “They fed me with biscuits throughout the period even as I almost bled to death,” he said.

    The speaker, however, expressed gratitude to God for his numerous blessings, guidance and preservation over the years.

    “’When God does things for you, it is important to appreciate him for more.

    (NAN)

  • JUST IN: Wike, Fubara, Amaewhule make public appearance after fresh peace talks

    JUST IN: Wike, Fubara, Amaewhule make public appearance after fresh peace talks

    Suspended Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike and suspended Rivers Speaker Martin Amaewhule were seen together in public on Saturday, days after a high-profile peace meeting aimed at resolving the political turmoil in the state.

    Their joint appearance took place at the burial ceremony of Wike’s uncle in Rumuepirikom, Rivers State. 

    The event came shortly after Thursday’s peace talks in Abuja brokered by President Bola Tinubu to address the prolonged political crisis between Fubara and his former allies.

    Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, shared a video of the gathering on X with the caption. 

    Read Also: Rivers: How Wike, Fubara meeting set stage for peace deal

    He wrote:  “Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, alongside the Governor Siminalayi Fubara, at the burial of Wike’s Uncle in Rumuepirikom, Rivers State today.”

    The funeral was attended by several notable political figures, including Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, and Senator Olaka Nwogu.

    Others in attendance were former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, former House of Representatives member Hon. Ken Chikere, South-South Vice Chairman of the APC Victor Giadom, and former PDP Deputy National Chairman Dr. Sam Sam Jaja.

  • Suspended Rivers Speaker commends Tinubu on Emergency rule, urges for calm

    Suspended Rivers Speaker commends Tinubu on Emergency rule, urges for calm

    Mr Martins Amaewhule, Speaker of the suspended Rivers House of Assembly has commended President Bola Tinubu on his decision to activate a state of emergency in Rivers.

    The Speaker also said that the move was in the best interest of the state and urged residents to cooperate with the newly deployed Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd).

    Amaewhule made the remarks in a letter signed on behalf of the state Assembly to the constituencies and distributed to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

    The letter read in part, ”on behalf of the Rivers House of Assembly, I write to draw your attention to the declaration of a state of emergency by the President in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    ”The condition of our dear state today is mainly because of the malfeasance of the governor who serially disobeyed judgments and orders of courts, failed to govern the state in line with the oath of office and the Constitution.

    ”As an Assembly, we assure you all, our constituents that we would abide by this declaration even though it was not what we prayed for.

    He, however, said that the President acted in the best interest of the country, and called on the constituents to remain calm as the Sole Administrator assumes duty.

    (NAN)

  • Fubara, Amaewhule gone with Tinubu’s emergency declaration

    Fubara, Amaewhule gone with Tinubu’s emergency declaration

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wielded the big stick to restore order yesterday in beleaguered Rivers State.

    Swept away by the declaration of a state of emergency are the major actors in the intractable crisis – Governor Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu and the House of Assembly members led by Speaker Martins Chike Amaewhule.

    They were suspended “for an initial period of six months”.

    To run the state from last night is Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff.

    The President announced this decision during a broadcast after a marathon meeting with his security chiefs and heads of the Federal legislature.

    The action followed the explosion at a pipeline in the wee hours of yesterday.

    It is the pipeline taking crude to the Bonny oil export terminal in Rivers State.

    The Presidential action is hinged on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers him to intervene in cases where governance is threatened.

    “Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, and with the Governor and Deputy Governor failing to request a proclamation as required by the Constitution, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke Section 305 of the Constitution,” the President said.

    The President emphasised that the action was taken to ensure stability and restore effective governance in the state.

    “By this declaration, the governor, his deputy, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” he added.

    Read Also; ​TIMELINE of Wike-Fubara fight, Rivers political crisis since 2023

    The face-off between Fubara and the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, worsened after the Supreme Court judgment.

    The crisis assumed an ethnic and violent dimension as unidentified persons, who claimed to be backing the governor, threatened to inflict havoc on the nation’s oil facilities.

    Yesterday, an explosion at the critical Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) around Bodo, Gokana local government area, jolted the people that it was not an empty threat.

    Also, in less than 24 hours, there was another explosion at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa axis of the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni local government.

    Shortly before the declaration of emergency rule, President Tinubu presided over an emergency security meeting at Aso Villa, Abuja, to review the security situation in Rivers.

    At the meeting were the National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar.

    Others were the Director-General of the Department of State Service Tosin Ajayi, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Mohammed Mohammed and the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

    Also at the meeting were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and his deputy Benjamin Kalu.

    President Tinubu said no democratic leader would turn his face off the grave security situation in Rivers.

    He said: “I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State.

    “The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, depriving its people of the dividends of democracy.”

    Citing constitutional breaches and security concerns, President Tinubu alluded to the destruction of the House of Assembly complex in December 2023 and the governor’s failure to rebuild it 14 months later.

    He also alluded to the Supreme Court judgment that condemned the absence of a functioning legislature in the state, warning that “a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state”.

    The President highlighted fresh security threats, including the pipeline vandalism by militants.

    He said: “Between yesterday and today, there have been disturbing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them.

    “I have given stern orders to security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and oil infrastructure in Rivers State.”

    President Tinubu said Vice Admiral Ibas will administer the state for the initial six-month period.

    He said: “I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State,” he announced.

    The President clarified that while the legislative and executive arms of government have been suspended, the judiciary will continue to function normally.

    He stressed: “For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with its constitutional mandate.”

    The president said the administrator will not be permitted to make new laws, adding that he will be authorised to introduce necessary regulations with approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    President Tinubu expressed disappointment that despite multiple interventions by him, national leaders, and other well-meaning Nigerians, the crisis persisted.

    He said: “No good and responsible President will stand by and allow this grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps.”

    The President added that the emergency declaration had been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly in line with constitutional requirements.

    He expressed hope that this intervention would serve as a wake-up call for political players in Rivers and across Nigeria.

    He added: “It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help restore peace and order in Rivers State.”

  • We won’t allow ethnic division in Rivers, says Speaker Amaewhule 

    We won’t allow ethnic division in Rivers, says Speaker Amaewhule 

    Boma Iyaye leads delegation to Rivers Speaker 

    The Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, has condemned the plot to cause ethnic division in the state, saying the House would not allow it.

    Amaewhule insisted that Rivers had gone beyond ethnic narratives and would not return to the past vowing that the lawmakers would continue to push for the unity, peace and progress of the state.

    The Speaker, spoke when he received a delegation of politicians, who came to pay him a solidarity visit led by the the Director, Finance and Administration, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Boma Iyaye.

    He said the Supreme Court judgement did not come to them as a surprise because according to him the House had conducted its affairs within the ambit of the constitution and the law governing Rivers.

    Amaewhule said: “What this country and our state truly deserves is the adherence to the rule of law and the dividends of democracy to our people through proper leadership. That is what we stand for. We were expecting their judgement because we know we have been conscious of our constitution. 

    “We knew it was going to be like that because that is what the law is. I want to assure you that we are committed to the unity and peace of this state. It is paramount. 

    “We will not let anybody or group of persons divide this state and take us back to where we were several years ago. Rivers has moved forward to the point where we see ourselves as brothers. Where you come from should be behind. 

    “We want Rivers to be a united and progressive state with all of us working together not minding our ethnic origin. It is important. If we begin to use where we come from to divide the state, it won’t help anybody”.

    Read Also: Why Supreme Court affirmed Amaewhule as Rivers Speaker

    The speaker said the enemies deployed various gimmicks to divide them in the House of Assembly but that all the lawmakers stood firm in unity.

    He thanked Iyaye and his delegation and urged him to keep bringing more development to various local government areas in Rivers.

    He commended Iyaye for supporting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike, saying the Minister’s singular interest remained peace and development of Rivers.

    The speaker said: “We are all friends in the Assembly. There was nothing they had not done to divide us using all kinds of gimmicks. But we keep telling them that we have grown. We are no more babies. We have grown to the point where we can discern good and bad. 

    “We will push for our people to get what they truly deserves. We want to thank you for supporting our leader, who is uniting our state and ensuring that everybody stays together”.

    Iyaye told the speaker that he led a delegation of politicians to congratulate him and his colleagues for their victory at the Supreme Court.

    He commended Amaewhule for remaining courageous and choosing the path of litigations instead of restoring to violence and self-help.

    Addressing Amaewhule, he said: “We are here as politicians that you have sent to NDDC to work. We came here to felicitate with you especially in the light of the current judgement delivered by the Supreme Court. 

    “For the past few months our state has been in turmoil, crisis and the real circumstance of which Assembly was the real Assembly was the bone of contention. But by the special grace of God the matter went as far as the Supreme Court and you came out successful.

    “We felt that as your brothers you had sent to the NDDC to work and represent you to come and felicitate with you. Ordinarily people would have thought that you would take the laws into your hands inviting anarchy when the issue of which Assembly was the authentic one. You refused. 

    “You went through the rigours of litigation and finally you came out successful. Now that you have been legally approved by the Supreme Court as the man leading the House of Assembly, we want to encourage you to have the interest of Rivers at heart and ensure that everything you legislate upon will be for the interest of Rivers. We as politicians are with you, we will stand by you any day. We will join you in your struggle to ensure Rivers progress.”

  • BREAKING: Fubara invites Speaker Amaewhule, Assembly members for crucial meeting

    BREAKING: Fubara invites Speaker Amaewhule, Assembly members for crucial meeting

    Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has invited the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to a meeting at Government House, Port Harcourt.

    In a significant move, the invitation—issued from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government—marks the first time Fubara has officially addressed Amaewhule as the Speaker of the Assembly.

    Dated March 7, the invitation references the governor’s March 5 letter, in which he acknowledged receipt of the Supreme Court’s judgment.

    Read Also: I can feel your support, Fubara tells Rivers 

    “And he has, therefore, directed to invite you and your colleagues, the Honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, to a meeting,” the invitation stated.

    The agenda includes discussions on providing a suitable space for the Assembly’s sittings, settling outstanding remuneration and allowances, presenting the budget, and addressing other matters vital to the state’s progress.

    The lawmakers have been requested to meet with the governor at his office on Monday, March 10, at 10 a.m.

  • Why Supreme Court affirmed Amaewhule as Rivers Speaker

    Why Supreme Court affirmed Amaewhule as Rivers Speaker

    The actual copy of the judgment of the Supreme Court on the political crisis in Rivers State has revealed why the court affirmed Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker. 

    In the certified true copy (CTC) of the 62- page lead judgement by Justice Emmanuel Agim, seen on Thursday, the apex court found that there was no evidence that the 27 members of the House of Assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The court also found that Governor Siminalayi Fubara m, who raised the allegation of defection against the 27 lawmakers, withdrew the allegations when he retrieved all the documents he filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    It held that by failing to support his claim of defection with evidence, in the eyes of the law, no defection too place and consequently the status quo in the House of Assembly must remain.

    The court further held that there cannot be any House of Assembly unless as prescribed by the Constitution, adding that the Constitution did not envisage or support the position of governor Fubara to recognize only four members as the authentic House of Assembly.

    It further held that it is an aberration for Fubara to make any request, nominations and presentations to the Rivers State House of Assembly unless the one led by Hon Martin Amaewhule and believed to be loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike faction. 

    “What is clear from the above concurrent findings is that the 8” respondent (Fubara) started the prevention of the sittings of the Rivers State House of Assembly constituted by the number of members as prescribed by Section 96 of the 1999 Constitution long before the issue of the remaining 27 members defecting to another political party arose. 

    “The said activities of the 8” respondent (Fubara) were adjudged by the concurrent holdings of the Court of Appeal in its Judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024 as illegal and unconstitutional long before the allegation of defection started. 

    Read Also: Rivers Rep caucus rejects speaker Amaewhule’s interpretation of Supreme Court ruling

    “Against the background of these concurrent findings and holdings In the Court of Appeal Judgment in Appeal No.CA/AB)/CV/133/2024, i is reasonable to conclude that the cross appellant’s reliance on Sections 102 and 109 of the Constitution and the doctrine of necessity is to continue his brazen subversion of the Rivers State House of Assembly, The 1999 Constitution and legitimate government in Rivers State. 

    “Having by his own admission engaged in a series of illegal activities just to prevent the other 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from participating in the proceedings of the House to carry out their legitimate legislative duties which they were elected to do, his resort to Sections 102 and 109 of the 1999 Constitution and the doctrine of necessity on the basis of his allegation that they have defected is a red herring to perpetuate his subversion of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the 1999 Constitution and democratic government in Rivers State. 

    “The 8th respondent (Fubara) had collapsed the Rivers State House of Assembly. Therefore no question about any member having lost his seat in that House due to defection can validly arise. There must be a House of Assembly for any constitutional processes therein to take place. 

    “The daim that the 27 members are no longer members of the House on the basis of an alleged defection is a continuation of his determination to prevent them from participating in the proceedings of the House. It Is an engagement in chicanery. 

    “Sections 102 and 109 of the Constitution cannot be invoked in aid of this unconstitutional enterprise. 

    “Section 102. of the Constitution that provides that ‘a House of Assembly may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership and the presence of any person not entitled to be present at or to participate in the proceedings of the House shall not invalidate such proceedings,’ cannot be relied on to validate the proceedings of a House of Assembly in the absence of over 90 percent of the members or to justify a vacancy created by the illegal exclusion of a member of the House or to justify the contrived illegal exclusion of 27 members and officials from the House and illegal shutting down of the House by destroying the legislative building and House of Assembly complex and blocking access to the place by legislators and officials of the House. 

    “A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the Government of a State under the 1999 Constitution. In this case, the Executive arm of the Government has chosen to collapse the Legislature to enable him govern without the Legislature as a despot. As it is, there is no government in Rivers State. 

    “The doctrine of necessity cannot be invoked to justify the continued existence of a deliberately contrived illegal or unconstitutional status quo. It cannot be invoked to justify and protect the illegal actions of the 8” respondent and his despotic rule of Rivers State without a House of Assembly.

    “It applies to genuine situations that were not contemplated in the provisions of the Constitution or any law, which situations require the taking of some legitimate extra constitutional or extra legal actions to protect public interest. 

    “The 8th respondent’s fear of impeachment by the House Assembly is no justification for his attacks on the House of Assembly, the Constitution, the Government of Rivers State and rule of law. 

    “Political disagreements cannot justify these attacks and contempt for the rule of law by the Governor of a State or any person. What the 8” respondent has done is to destroy the government because of his fear of being impeached. 

    “The part of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, affirming the judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/AB)/CS/984/2024 is hereby affirmed. The said judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No.. FHC/AB)/CS/984/2024 is hereby restored. 

    “For avoidance of doubt it is hereby ordered that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation should forthwith stop releasing and paying to the Government of Rivers State, its organs, departments and Officials any money belonging to Rivers State until an Appropriation Law is made by Rivers State House of Assembly constituted as prescribed y the !999 Constitution. 

    “The Rt Honorable Martin Chike Amaewhule and the other 26 members should forthwith resume unhindered sitting as Speaker and members respectively of the Rivers State House of Assembly. 

    “The Rivers State House of Assembly Should resume sitting with all elected members forthwith,” the court said.

  • Fubara’s actions, appointments contemptuous, says Amaewhule-led Assembly

    Fubara’s actions, appointments contemptuous, says Amaewhule-led Assembly

    …directs clerk to publish disclaimer

    The Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule reconvened for plenary on Wednesday and declared all actions and appointments of the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as contemptuous.

    The plenary was held a few days after the Supreme Court’s judgment that dismissed the appeal of the governor following its withdrawal by Fubara’s legal team.

    The lawmakers alleged that Fubara had continued to disregard judgments of courts, extant laws of Rivers State, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the governance of the State.

    The legislators in a statement signed by the special assistant, media to the speaker, Martins Wachukwu, further accused Fubara of displaying impunity.

    Read Also: Court declines Anyanwu’s request to stop INEC from dealing with PDP without him

    The Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, first drew the attention of the lawmakers to the governor’s recent appointments and swearing-in of some individuals as chairmen and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission, and the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, describing the appointees as impostors.

    Speaking on the observations, members debated that the governor in the exercise of his powers had dragged decency to the mud.

    They said the House did not receive any letter from the governor or screen and confirm any individuals for such positions in line with the extant laws guiding such appointments.

    The Speaker, Amaewhule, said the appointments and inauguration were done by Fubara in defiance of the extant laws of the state and the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

    Insisting that the actions were contemptuous, the speaker said that with the dismissal of Governor Fubara’s appeal at the Supreme Court, the judgment of the Court of Appeal remained the position of the law, which affirmed him as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    When the question was put to determine the need for a disclaimer, the House voted in the affirmative and directed the Clerk of the Assembly to publish a disclaimer.

  • Supreme Court didn’t reinstate Amaewhule as Speaker, Rivers Govt insists 

    Supreme Court didn’t reinstate Amaewhule as Speaker, Rivers Govt insists 

    The Rivers State Government has insisted that the Monday’s Supreme Court’s judgement did not reinstate Martins Amaewhule as the Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly.

    Reflecting on the apex court judgement, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, SAN, who spoke in Government House on Monday night,  said he attended the court proceedings and  lamented that the real judgement had been misrepresented in various platforms.

    He said: “Regrettably, after the court’s proceedings today, there has been serial misrepresentation in social and electronic media grossly misrepresenting what transpired in court. It is important to trace the facts leading to SC/CV/1701/2024.

    “On the 29th day of November, 2023, Martin Chike Amaewhule & Anor instituted Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Here are copies of their  originating summons containing the 11 (eleven)  reliefs claimed by Martin Chike Amaewhule and others.

    “On the 11th day of December, 2023 while Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 was pending at the Federal High Court, Abuja,  Martin Chike Amaewhule & 26 others defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress and automatically lost their seats as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    “In Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023, the defection of Martin Amaewhule and 26 others was not an issue. Thus, it was not a question for determination. It was also not an issue for determination in the resultant appeals. 

    “Furthermore, before judgment was delivered in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023, Martin Chike Amaewhule and 26 others did not inform the court that they have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress”.

    Iboroma said the suit  amongst others was principally about the Appropriation Law 2024, a.k.a 2024 budget.

    He said: “We are in the year 2025 with a 2025 Appropriation Bill already passed and signed into law and in operation.

    “The Appropriation Law 2024 is now totally spent and cannot be brought back into operation. The monies in the Appropriation Law 2024 having been spent cannot be recalled and spent again.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Supreme Court dismisses Fubara’s appeal against judgment affirming Amaewhule as Speaker

    “The Appropriation Law 2024 being spent by reason of its expiration, SC/CV/1701/2024 became merely academic and of no utilitarian value.

    “The appellant in keeping with the time honoured practice of not wasting precious judicial time, filed a notice of withdrawal of his appeal and freely urged the Honourable Court to dismiss his appeal. Accordingly, the Honourable Court granted the prayer sought and dismissed the appeal. This is all that transpired.

    “The Supreme Court made no order whatsoever reinstating Martin Chike Amaewhule and 26 others as members of Rivers State House of Assembly, neither did the Supreme Court make any finding on their status as members of Rivers State House of Assembly.

    “We call on members of the public to ignore the false narrative and propaganda being spread by Martin Chike Amaewhule and his lawyers 

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court dismisses Fubara’s appeal against judgment affirming Amaewhule as Speaker

    BREAKING: Supreme Court dismisses Fubara’s appeal against judgment affirming Amaewhule as Speaker

    The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara against a judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly.

    A five-member panel of the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, marked: SC/CV/1171/2024, shortly after Fubara’s lawyer, Yusuf Ali (SAN) applied to withdraw it on the grounds that events have overtaken the appeal.

    Ali did not explain what he meant when he said events had overtaken the appeal.

    Read Also: Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly lauds Tinubu for establishing Ogoni varsity of environment, technology 

    Lawyers to the respondents, including some members of the Amaewhule-led faction of the House of Assembly – Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Joseph Daudu, Tuduru Edeh (SAN) and Mini Ayua – did not oppose the withdrawal.

    Olanipekun and Daudu however requested for N2milion cost each on the grounds that issues had been joined by parties, a request the court granted in a ruling delivered by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, who headed the panel.

    Details shortly…