A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned to May 22, 2024, the hearing on the suit seeking to stop the Rivers State Government from withholding financial allocations of the 23 Local Government Councils.
The adjournment was announced at the resumption of proceedings on Thursday by the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho.
It was to enable all parties that have been served the court’s documents to respond accordingly.
This was because the 1st – 4th and 6th were absent in court.
Those in court were M. N. Umoh, Olumide Fusika, SAN, Damian Okoro, SAN, and Sammie Somiari, SAN, who appeared for the 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th respondents respectively.
Among these four lawyers who were present in court, all but the 5th defendant admitted to have been served the court order.
However, they requested for time to respond to the issues because they considered that they were still within the time allowed by law to file their responses.
Justice Omotosho therefore, ordered service on the 1st to 4th and 6th respondents who were neither in court nor represented by any lawyer.
Recall, at the first court proceedings, Justice Omotosho refused to issue an interim order while ruling on in the ex-parte application.
So, there was no interim order whatsoever, against the Rivers State government and other respondents in the suit and this will remain so pending the hearing of the main suit.
Before adjourning hearing to the next date, the trial judge ordered the plaintiffs to put the respondents on notice.
He also ordered all parties to maintain status quo, which means they would not do anything that would render the suit nugatory.
The suit was marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/537/2024.
It is seeking to bar the Rivers State Government from withholding financial allocations of the 23 Local Government Areas in the State.
It is also seeking to stop the Inspector General of Police IGP, Police Commissioner in Rivers, Director General, State Security Service, SSS and its Director, from withdrawing the security personnel of the LG Chairmen.
The case is now pending for resolution of the motion on notice.
The plaintiffs in the matter were Dr Chidi LLoyd, Chairman, Emohua Local Government, Hon Allwell Ihunda Chairman, Port Harcourt local government, and Dr Nwanosike Samuel, Ikwerre local government area.
Also, there are Barrister George Ariolu, Chairman, Obio-Akpor local government, Dr Obinna Anyawu, Chairman, Etchi local government area and Hon Chidorom Nwaiwu, Chairman, Omuma local government area.
Others are Dr Hope Ikiriko, Chairman, Ahoada West local government area, Barrister Benjamin Isreal Eke, Chairman, Ahoada – East Local Government and Dr Roland Sekibo, Chairman, Akuku-Toru LGA.
