FEDERAL HIGH COURT ORDERS BAYELSA ASSEMBLY TO SHOW CAUSE IN DEPUTY GOVERNOR IMPEACHMENT CASE

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, its Speaker, and five other parties to appear before it and justify why they should not be barred from taking any steps to impeach the state’s Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo. The order was issued by Justice Emeka Nwite on October 27, following an ex-parte motion filed by the Deputy Governor.

The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2219/2025, was submitted on October 17 and targets the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Inspector General of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services, the Attorney General of Bayelsa State, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, and the Clerk of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. Senator Ewhrudjakpo sought an interim injunction to compel the defendants to show cause why the court should not grant an injunction against them pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.

In his prayers, the Deputy Governor requested the court to restrain the defendants from removing or impeaching him over his decision not to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress before the expiration of his four-year tenure. He cited violations of Section 188(5), (6), (7)(a), (b), (8), (9), and (11) and Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended. Specifically, he asked for orders to prevent the initiation of impeachment proceedings, any meetings aimed at impeachment, and the recognition of any APC member as Deputy Governor. He also sought to block the withdrawal of his security protection by the IGP, DSS Director, and Bayelsa Attorney General.

After reviewing the affidavit supported by Kareem Henry and hearing arguments from the plaintiff’s counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, Justice Nwite granted the first prayer. The judge stated, “An order for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th defendants to appear and show cause why an order on interim injunction should not be granted” against the defendants pending the hearing and determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction. The court emphasized that this was done in the interest of justice.

The case has been adjourned to November 13 for the hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction. A Certified True Copy of the ruling was made available to newsmen on Wednesday, confirming the court’s decision.