The High Court of Rivers State, Port Harcourt Judicial Division, has granted an ex parte order for interim injunction in a case involving the Attorney-General of Rivers State, the Governor of Rivers State, and various members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The order, issued by Hon. Justice Dr. D. Jumbo Stephens in Suit No. PHC2177/CS/2024, restrains the 31st and 32nd defendants from dealing or relating with the 1st to 27th defendants as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The defendants are also prohibited from receiving, forwarding, or acting on any resolutions, articles of impeachment, or other documents or communications from the 1st to 27th defendants pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

The parties to the suit have been directed to maintain the status quo ante litem as at 5th July 2024 until the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction is heard and determined.

The court has also ordered substituted service of the originating and other processes in the suit on the 1st to 30th defendants by pasting the same at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters, opposite the former NDDC headquarters, off Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

The matter has been adjourned to 15th July 2024 for the hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

The order comes amidst ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, with various factions vying for control of the state’s legislative assembly. The injunction seeks to maintain the current state of affairs until the substantive issues can be fully addressed in court.