It was gathered that the case could not come up on Friday because of the absence of Justice Stephen Daylop Pam and the parties were eventually asked to choose another date.
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Friday adjourned till June 3, 2024, for hearing a suit filed by members of the Rivers State civil society organisation seeking to sack 27 lawmakers of the state House of Assembly.
It was gathered that the case could not come up on Friday because of the absence of Justice Stephen Daylop Pam and the parties were eventually asked to choose another date.
The CSOs had petitioned the court for an interpretation of Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, namely whether parliamentarians who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) still have a legal standing to represent their areas.
The CSOs led by the Rivers State Chairman, Enefaa Georgewill, also want the court to restrain Governor Siminalayi Fubara from representing the 2024 budget to the lawmakers who defected.
He was quoted by PUNCH as saying: “They (counsel to the lawmakers) now have one month plus for a matter they have failed to respond to for the past two months. It is quite unfortunate and we know they are just buying time.
“But like we always say, justice will always be delayed but it cannot be denied. They should try all their gimmicks, but they should not be afraid to come to court to tell us if they are still members of the State House of Assembly.
“It is beyond the media rhetoric. They should come to court, respond to our processes, and let the court decide whether or not they are still members of the House of Assembly. Like we have said this matter is backed by the Supreme Court, and we are sure we are going to have it.”
It was learnt that the case had been adjourned for the third time since commencement.