Rivers: How Suit Challenging Peace Agreement Fell To Pieces
● We will appeal judgement – Group member
By PHC Telegraph
A Suit filed before a Port Harcourt High Court seeking to stall the peace agreement that has substantially restored some level of political stability in Rivers State has been thrown overboard by the judiciary.
Justice Chinwendu Nwogu who presided over the matter brought by a group of anti-peace campaigners masquerading as elders of the State declined to proceed with the matter.
The Judge ruled after reviewing the case that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear such a matter.
Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe dressed in traditional apparel and adorned with beads and other persons that are urging the State Governor not to yield to the implementation of the peace accord had approached the court.
They had hoped through the suit which sought several interpretations to the content of the peace deal to strongly challenge the legality of the State Legislature and its right to perform core legislative functions.
Chief Anabs Sara Igbe (L), Rivers State High Court premises (R).
They similarly wanted an order restraining the governor from re-presenting the 2024 budget to the State House of Assembly under the leadership of Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
The presiding Judge who heard the matter Tuesday set aside the case on grounds that the court lacked appropriate jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Meanwhile, there are signs that the litigants are likely to approach the Court of Appeal in their determined effort to topple the peace process.
They had hinted the media of their intention, saying they were not satisfied with the ruling which pulled the rung from under their feet.
Anabs Sara-Igbe who spoke for the group said that he and his friends will approach the Court above in their quest to secure justice.
So far, the political atmosphere in Rivers State is reportedly very calm although more groups purportedly from the grassroots are paying solidarity visits to the Government House in Port Harcourt to express their support for the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
It is not clear if these solidarity groups that are daily besieging Government House are truly doing so of their own accord, or if they are being sponsored by ‘crisispreneurs’ that are acting behind the scene.