Supreme Court Rejects Fubara’s Appeal on Lawmakers’ Case

Supreme Court Ruling on Fubara vs. Pro-Wike Lawmakers

On February 10, 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which sought the removal of 27 members of the State House of Assembly. These lawmakers had allegedly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and are known to be loyalists of former Governor Nyesom Wike.

The dismissal followed a withdrawal of the appeal by Governor Fubara’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Yusuf Ali, who informed the court that “events had overtaken the suit.” The Rivers State House of Assembly and its Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, represented by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), did not oppose the withdrawal. Consequently, the Supreme Court struck out the case and awarded ₦4 million in costs against Governor Fubara, to be paid to the House of Assembly and Mr. Amaewhule.

This legal battle originated in December 2023 when Governor Fubara presented the 2024 budget to only five lawmakers from the Edison Ehie-led faction of the assembly, excluding the majority of lawmakers loyal to Mr. Amaewhule. The governor’s actions were challenged in court, leading to a series of legal proceedings culminating in the recent Supreme Court decision.

The Supreme Court’s ruling effectively upholds the positions of the 27 lawmakers, affirming their legitimacy despite their alleged defection. This decision is significant in the ongoing political dynamics within Rivers State, particularly concerning the influence of former Governor Wike and his supporters in the state legislature.

For more insights into the implications of this ruling, you might find the following video informative: