The High Court of Rivers State sitting in Ahoada has ordered Assembly member, Evans Bipi from parading himself as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly with immediate effect.
Justice C.N. Wali, Presiding Judge, was ruling on an interim injunction for the maintenance of the undisputed position in the Assembly prior to the commencement of hostilities on July 9, 2013.
Granting the order, which followed an affidavit filed by Deputy Speaker Leyii Kwanee last Friday, the court restrained Hon. Bipi from calling or acknowledging himself as the Speaker.
He is also forbidden, among others, from allowing himself to be addressed in that manner by any person without promptly refuting such appellation; writing to any person in that manner; or acting in any manner whatsoever as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
The court further ordered Hon. Bipi not to do anything whatsoever to obstruct, hinder, prevent or disturb the Speaker, Otelemaba D. Amachree and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kwanee, in the performance of their duties in the House pending the determination of the motion on notice.
Of great significance, the court ordered the Police Force and its principal officers, including the Inspector General of Police, to enforce the interim orders and to accord to the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker every recognition and protection to enable them discharge their duties and exercise their powers in the Assembly pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
