Special Court of Appeal Panel established to adjudicate political cases in Rivers State

The Special Court of Appeal Panel established to adjudicate political cases in Rivers State has reserved judgment in the consolidated appeals contesting the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, stated that judgment in the appeals would be reserved after counsel for the parties adopted their briefs and final processes for and against the appeals.

In one of the appeals concerning the Rivers local government election, Justice Lifu, in his judgment, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission for the conduct of the state local government polls, which have now been conducted.

In another suit presided over by Justice Lifu, filed by some members of the Rivers State chapter of the PDP said to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Justice Lifu ruled in an application barring the national leadership of the PDP from dissolving the newly elected executives of the party in Rivers State.

Meanwhile, two senior lawyers separately announced their appearances for the PDP in the case seeking to sack the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike.

While J. Y. Musa announced his appearance for the Umar Damagum-led executive, B. F. Folurunsho stated he was duly assigned the case by the National Legal Adviser of the party, whom he said has the authority to handle all legal matters involving the party.