Rivers Governorship Tussle …Appeal Court Adjourns Soberekon’s Suit To Jan 25

The Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned to January 25, next year further hearing in a case brought before it by Chief Bekinbo Soberekon challenging   the declaration of Hon Chibuike Amaechi as the winner in the April 14, 2007 governorship election in Rivers State.

While adjourning the case, the presiding judge, Justice Abubarkar Jega said the decision was to enable the court receive all written addresses from the parties involved in the case to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

For this reason, the Court of Appeal also gave 14 days ultimatum to  Chief Soberekon to file all his written addresses to the court and inform all the parties involved in the case.

In like manner, the court also gave all other parties in the suit seven days to respond to Soberekon’s written addresses for further argument.

The court advised all parties involved in the case  to put their house in order to enable the case to be disposed off without further delay, adding that the judges and most counsels are coming from different locations.

Counsel to Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) did not raise any objection to the oral application for adjournment by Mary Obey, holding brief for Femi Falana who was unavoidably absent due to flight problem.

Counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party, J.B Daudu also did not object to the adjournment, saying that it would be unfair to continue with the application without the presence of Chief Femi Falana.

Mr Kanu Agabi, counsel to the Resident Electoral Commissioner also adopted the adjournment, but urged the court to note that the petition of the appellant was struck out by the lower court because of lack of diligence in proceeding.

In another development the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, yesterday adjourned indefinitely another application filed by the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Mr Ashley Emenike, seeking substitution of Sir Celestine Omehia with Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

In his statement, Justice Jega said that a date for motion on ruling for the  substitution would be communicated to the parties in due course

Earlier, Chief Ake Omurejiri made reference to section 15 of the  Appeal Court act saying that the court has full jurisdiction to dismiss the application on false substitution and so prayed for dismissal.