FEMI FALANA CLARIFIES SUPREME COURT VERDICT ON RIVERS STATE ASSEMBLY CRISIS

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has shed light on the recent Supreme Court verdict regarding the Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara’s appeal against the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. According to Falana, the court’s decision does not determine the authentic Speaker of the House.

Falana’s clarification came on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, February 10, 2025, following the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeal filed by Governor Fubara. The lawyer explained that the appeal was withdrawn by the appellant, rendering the case an academic exercise.

“The question of celebration doesn’t arise. What happened in this case is that the governor of Rivers State instructed his lawyers to withdraw the appeal on the grounds that it has become an academic exercise,” Falana stated.

He further emphasized that the court did not determine who is the authentic Speaker of the House, contrary to some reports. “In other words, the issues are no longer alive, and therefore, why do you want to waste the time of the court?” Falana added.

The initial issue that led to the appeal was the 2024 budget proposal, which has already been passed into law. According to Falana, this development made further litigation unnecessary.

RIVERS STATE ASSEMBLY CRISIS: A BACKGROUNDER

The crisis in the Rivers State Assembly began in 2023 when over 25 lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This led to a contested leadership of the House between Amaewhule’s faction and a rival group led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, believed to be loyal to Fubara.

Falana clarified that three members of the state House of Assembly can perform legislative functions, except in cases of impeaching the governor. He also stated that the 27 PDP lawmakers who defected to the APC lost their seats as they were declared vacant.

SUPREME COURT VERDICT

A five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji dismissed the appeal against the Amaewhule-led group, citing the withdrawal of the suit by Fubara’s counsel, Yusuf Ali.

CONCLUSION

Femi Falana’s clarification on the Supreme Court verdict provides insight into the complexities of the Rivers State Assembly crisis. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the parties involved will navigate the challenges ahead.