UPDATE ON SPECIAL APPEAL COURT PANEL ON RIVERS CRISIS – SITTING OF THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024.
Drama unfolded at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Thursday as two senior lawyers clashed over the case seeking to sack Amaewhule and others.
When the case was called, two lawyers, Mr. B. F. Folurunsho and Dr. J. Y. Musa, separately announced their appearances for the PDP.
Dr. J. Y. Musa claimed he was briefed by the Alhaji Umar Damagum-led executives, while Mr. B. F. Folurunsho argued that he was duly assigned the case by the National Legal Adviser of the party, who he said has the authority to handle all legal matters involving the PDP.
In light of the conflicting claims, the appellate court panel directed both lawyers to resolve the issue within the PDP.
“This is not an issue this court can delve into at this time,” Justice Otisi ruled, adjourning some of the appeals to January 23, 2025.
The counsel representing the Rivers State Government, Mr. Goddy Uche, SAN, informed the panel that, in addition to the 11 cases already before it, four more appeals related to the crisis in the state had also been filed. He requested an adjournment to allow for the consolidation of the matters. The court granted his request and scheduled November 22, 2024, as the return date for another round of hearings.
Earlier in the six-hour proceedings, the court reserved judgment on five consolidated appeals related to the recently held Local Government elections in Rivers State.
Source: John Martins
Friday, 15 November, 2024