A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted an interim injunction restraining 25 assembly lawmakers from parading themselves as members.

Giving the order on Friday, Justice Charles Wali, declared the seat of the speaker, Martin Amaewhule, along with the 24 other lawmakers, vacant after they defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In suit NO: PHC/1512/CS/2024, Mr Wali then held that “An Order of interim injunction is granted restraining the 1st to 25th Defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of Rivers State House of Assembly and/ or meeting/sitting at the Auditorium of the House of Assembly Quarters located at off Aba Road, Port Harcourt or any other place whatsoever to purport to carry out the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly, their legislative seats having been declared vacant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

The lawmakers were believed to be loyal to the immediate past governor and current minister of the FCT, Nysom Wike.

Also joined in the suit are Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the State Attorney-General, and the embattled 25 lawmakers, while Oko-Jumbo, the factional speaker loyal to the governor, along with two others, are the plaintiffs.

The judge also restrained Mr Fubara and the State Attorney-General from “interfacing, accepting any resolutions, bills and/or howsoever interacting with the 1st to 25th Defendants in their purported capacities as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

“It is further Ordered that this Order, the Motion on Notice and the writ and other processes in this case be served on the 1st to 25th Defendants/Respondents within seven (7) days from date by substituted means to wit: of pasting at the entrance gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Legislative Quarters, Off Aba Road, Port Harcourt and for such service to be deemed good and proper,” it added.

The state had been in crisis since the political tussle between Mr Wike and Mr Fubara, began last year.