A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Labour Party that aimed to declare the seats of 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members vacant.
These lawmakers were accused of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Emmanuel Obile stated that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case due to a binding decision from the Supreme Court.
Justice Obile referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025, which found no evidence of the lawmakers’ defection, effectively settling the matter.
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The lawsuit, identified as FHC/PH/25/2024, listed the Rivers State House of Assembly, the accused lawmakers, the PDP, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
Justice Obile emphasized that the court was obligated to follow Section 287(1) of the Constitution, which requires adherence to Supreme Court judgments.
Referring to the February 28, 2025, Supreme Court decision, the judge stated that the apex court had already resolved the issue by confirming that there was no proof that the 27 lawmakers had defected.
“The Supreme Court’s judgment is binding on this court. The issue of the lawmakers’ status has been settled, and this court lacks jurisdiction to reopen it,” Justice Obile declared.
The Labour Party had argued that the lawmakers’ move to the APC violated constitutional principles and justified their removal from office.
The defendants, including the Rivers State House of Assembly, the lawmakers, the PDP, the APC, and INEC, contended that the Supreme Court’s ruling prevented any further legal challenges on the matter.
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