Rivers State Government says it will obey the judgement given by Justice Adanma Iyayi-Lamikanra in the suit on the suspension of the Obio/Akpor Local Government chairman and councillors.
Reacting to the judgement, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said the trial Judge held that the action of the Rivers State House of Assembly in respect of the suspension of the former Chairman and councilors of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council for alleged fraudulent practices was flawed and unconstitutional.
“As a responsible Government, which respects the rule of law, we have noted the ruling and in our usual manner would abide by the pronouncement.”
However, we are constrained to note that the trial judge acted in total disregard of the Court of Appeal, which at the moment is entertaining an appeal in respect of the matter. We are aware that under the rules of court, where there is a subsisting ruling essentially from the court above, lower courts are as a rule expected to stay action pending the determination of the appeal,” she added.
In this instance, we wish to state without equivocation that the trial judge erred in law when she failed to adhere to age-long principles upon which the rule of law draws inspiration and strength. For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government has filed an appeal for a stay of execution of the judgment while the ongoing matter that is being heard by the court above is billed for Thursday, the 28th of November, 2013.”
The government urged all Rivers people, “particularly the good people of Obio/Akpor to remain calm and law abiding,” assuring that government will pursue the cause of justice through constitutional and judicial means until the people secure justice.
In a related development, the lawmaker representing the Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Rt the Hon Ogbonna Nwuke has reacted to last Sunday’s invasion of the Omuma Local Government premises and the physical assault on the elected Council Chairman, Mr John Anucha by security forces.
The siege on the council premises, using tanks, armed police and a sprinkle of soldiers is coming against the backdrop of attempts to use the Omuma council premises to launch the GDI by supporters of the Supervising Minister of Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
The honorable member in a statement issued in Abuja after he had received briefs from his constituents in the area described the roles played by the police as despicable, shameful, unacceptable and undemocratic.
According to him, “Once again, the police apparently acting on the instructions of a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly who claims to be a staunch supporter of Nyesom Wike has demonstrated great disregard for decency and resorted to the use of terror to intimidate the good people of Omuma Local Government in pursuit of narrow parochial political interests.
“We are shocked that such undemocratic methods could be adopted by the police and an elected official who claims the mandate of his people to undermine democratic tenets and the rule of law”. “It is evidence of the abysmal use of security personnel in Rivers State since the arrival of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mbu to distort law and order and create tension and crisis”.
The lawmaker urged all men and women of goodwill, including rights groups to condemn the Rivers State Commissioner of Police for his penchant for fomenting trouble under the guise of supporting certain interests in Abuja, saying his acts of great indiscretion were becoming alarming and legendary.