Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has agreed to withdraw his case against the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule. The decision was made at the State High Court in Isiokpo, situated in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
This move follows a crucial meeting at Aso Villa, where Governor Fubara engaged with President Bola Tinubu, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, and other key stakeholders from Rivers. The primary aim of this gathering was to resolve the ongoing political crisis within the state.
The outcome of the meeting witnessed the signing of an agreement by Wike, Fubara, and others, marking a commitment to bring an end to the existing discord. A notable aspect of this agreement was Governor Fubara’s decision to withdraw any legal actions against Amaewhule’s faction.
During the court hearing, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ferdinand Orbih, representing Governor Fubara, officially communicated the withdrawal to the presiding Judge, Justice Ben Whyte. However, the defense counsel, D. O. Okoro, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, indicated a lack of instructions from his clients to withdraw the matter.
In response, Justice Whyte directed the defense counsel to confer with his clients regarding the recent development. The court adjourned the case to the 31st day of January 2024 for a report on the settlement.
Governor Fubara had initially approached the court seeking an order to restrain the Amaewhule-led faction of the State Assembly from impeaching him. Notably, on the same day, the Amaewhule-led Assembly took a parallel step by withdrawing the impeachment notice served on Governor Fubara.