In a virtual hearing via Zoom, the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt has delivered its ruling on two motions filed by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule and other defected lawmakers.
The motions challenged the injunction granted by the Rivers State High Court, restraining them from acting as lawmakers.
The court granted the appellants’ prayers for leave to compile and transmit the records of appeal, deemed their brief of argument as filed, and accelerated the hearing, according to Politics Nigeria.
However, it refused to grant a stay of execution and setting aside the interim order of the lower court, stating that it would be tantamount to determining the appeal at this stage.
The court ordered that the present status quo be maintained pending the hearing of the appeal.
The respondents have been directed to file their briefs within 72 hours of being served.
The ruling sets the stage for the next phase of the legal battle, as the defected lawmakers continue to challenge their removal from office.
