Court to Hear Motion on Labour Party’s Defection Suit Against Rivers Lawmakers

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt is set to hear a motion on Monday seeking to dismiss the defection suit filed by the Labour Party (LP) against Martin Amaewhule and 26 other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

At the previous hearing on March 11, 2025, K. Njemanze (SAN), representing the Rivers State House of Assembly, informed the court that he had submitted a motion on March 10 requesting the dismissal of the case. Njemanze argued that the issues raised in the suit had already been resolved by the Supreme Court’s decision on February 28, 2025. He referred to Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), asserting that the Federal High Court must adhere to the Supreme Court’s ruling.

However, Clifford Chuku, the counsel for the Labour Party, opposed the motion. Chuku argued that the Supreme Court’s ruling did not directly address the main issue in the suit, which challenges the legality of the lawmakers’ defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He further argued that, according to Section 272(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Federal High Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over defection cases involving House of Assembly members.

Justice Emmanuel Obile of the Federal High Court 2 in Port Harcourt ruled that the motion would be heard before the substantive case is considered. The matter was adjourned to Monday, March 17, 2025, at 2:00 pm for the motion hearing.

The Federal High Court’s decision on whether to dismiss the case or allow it to proceed will be closely watched.