Court Restrains Bipi From Parading As Speaker

A High Court in the Ahoada judicial division presided over by Justice C.N. Wali has granted an interim injunction restraining the lawmaker representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency, Hon. Evans Bipi from parading himself as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

The Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanee on December 13, approached the court for an order of interim injunction for the maintenance of the indisputed position existing in the Rivers state House of Assembly prior to the commencement of hostilities on July 9, this year.

After hearing the submissions of the counsel to claimants, B.E.I. Nwofor, SAN the court restrained the twenty-fifth defendant (Hon. Evans Bipi) “from further parading himself, calling himself, acknowledging himself as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly”.

The court also restrained him “from attempting to perform or performing any function or duty or exercise any power or claim any privilege or right as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“And from doing anything whatever to obstruct, hinder, prevent or disturb the first claimant (Rt. Hon. Otelemaba D. Amaechree) in the performance of his duties, exercise of his powers and rights or enjoyment of his privileges as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly or preventing the second claimant from acting in the absence of the first claimant, pending the determination of the motion on notice for The injunction filed in this case”.

The court also directed the defendants to enforce the interim order and to accord every recognition and protection to the claimants to enable them discharge their duties and exercise their powers and rights as the Speaker and deputy Speaker of the House pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

The court further adjourned the matter to January 6, 2014 for hearing.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has invited all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to sign an undertaking that they would conduct themselves in an orderly manner when they resumed sitting.

Enoch Epelle