The
National Industrial Court sitting in Yenagoa has granted an interim
injunction restraining Rivers State Governor, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike
and the State House of Assembly from dissolving the 23 local government
councils in the state.
The
court, presided over by Justice James Justice Agbadu-Fishim, also
restrained the state Attorney-General of the state and agents of the
state government from dissolving, suspending, sacking terminating or in
any manner whatsoever interfering with the tenure of office of the
councils.
The
interim order, in Suit No: NICN/YEN/26/2015, which was granted on
Monday, June 22, 2015, followed a motion ex-parte and affidavit of
extreme urgency filed by chairmen of the 23 local government councils on
behalf of themselves, and the 23 local government councils of the
state.
The
order also restrained the Inspector-general of Police or his agents and
proxies from enforcing any purported action detrimental to the
existence of the 23 chairmen and councils in the state.
Agbadu-Fishim
stated that the interim order will remain in force until the hearing
and determination of the motion on notice for Interlocutory Injunction
Reacting
to the Court order, publicity secretary of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) in the state, Chris Finebone commended the decision of
the Court, saying despite the presence of a few bad eggs, the judiciary
remains the last hope of the oppressed.
Finebone,
“We believe that, despite the presence of a few bad eggs, the judiciary
remains the last hope of the oppressed. Therefore, we hail this
decision by the Yenagoa High Court as specified in the attached Order.”
