The Rivers State House of Assembly has resolved to write to the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the Commonwealth of Nations to save the people of the state from the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.
The motion was in response to the attack and closure of the State High Court Complex last Friday by armed thugs believed to be members of the APC while the police looked on.
At an emergency session on Monday presided over the Speaker, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, the Assembly said it had become necessary to write to the institutions for them to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of Rivers people “in the face of premeditated assault by the APC Federal Government and her agents”.
The assembly also resolved to write the President and Commander-in-chief with a view to calling him to immediate action on what members described as the evils being perpetrated against Rivers people by his administration.
The resolutions followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader and member representing Obio/Akpor State Constituency One, Mr Martins Amaehwule, under matter of urgent importance condemning the attack and closure of the Rivers State High Court Complex on May 11. The motion was seconded by the member representing Bonny State Constituency, Abiye Pepple.
Sixteen members voted in favour of the motion, while three voted against and another three members abstained from voting.
Moving the motion, Amaewhule drew the attention of members of the House on the incident of last Friday where both uniformed and non-uniformed armed men attacked the State High Court Complex in a commando-style with sporadic gunshots, shut down the complex by locking the entrance gates, destroyed government and private property and molested judicial officers, lawyers and litigants.
The Leader of the House, who stated that the cause of the crisis was an impending ruling on a matter between two disputing parties of the APC, noted with sadness that no arrest has been made even when sponsored hoodlums were seen attacking people and destroying vehicles and infrastructure at the High Court Complex in the presence of the APC-controlled Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS).
He observed that the safety of the Rivers State Governor can no longer be guaranteed as the Federal Government whose responsibility it is to control the police has now delegated the power of control of the Rivers State Police Command and particularly FSARS to the leader of Rivers APC.
In his contribution, Minority Leader, Benibo Anabrabra, regretted that members of his political party desecrated the temple of justice.
Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Marshall Uwom, said it is expedient to defend the rule of law and democracy in the state.
Member, representing Ahoada East Constituency 2, Mr Ehie Edison, while condemning the invasion, said acts of that nature must be met with sanctions.
Member representing Asari-Toru State Constituency 2, Emeni George, who described as sacrilegious the desecration of the State Temple of Justice, urged the President to sack the Inspector General of Police for incompetence.
Majority Whip, Evans Bipi, said the attack on the State High Court Complex was geared towards 2019 elections and urged the House to also write to all embassies in Nigeria.
Ruling on the matter, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani, said the position of the house was to save the state from the illegal acts of the APC-led Federal Government.
He said the attack on the judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man, was a sad narrative for the state and her corporate existence.
The House of Assembly later moved to the State High Court Complex where they inspected the damage done to the complex. The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Laminkara, conducted the Lawmakers round the complex.
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