The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit against 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who support the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. The case, which aimed to replace these lawmakers for allegedly defecting from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), was dismissed on multiple grounds.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the ruling, noted that the suit, filed by the Action People’s Party (APP), was statute-barred as it was not submitted within the 14-day legal timeframe. The defection allegedly occurred in December of the previous year, but the APP did not file the case until July 12, eight months later.
Additionally, Justice Lifu ruled that the case constituted a gross abuse of court process, as the issue of defection involving the same lawmakers had already been adjudicated by the federal high court in other cases. He referenced previous rulings, including one by Justice James Omotosho, which had barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from declaring the lawmakers’ seats vacant or conducting fresh elections. Since that judgment had not been overturned or appealed, Justice Lifu stated that it remained legally binding.
Furthermore, Justice Lifu emphasized that it would be improper for him to act as an appellate court over a decision made by the same court. Consequently, the suit was dismissed on three primary grounds.
NGI 
SKJ 
NewsGlobal Reporters