By: Felix Ikpotor
There was a mild drama on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RVHA) today during the swearing-in of ten out of the thirteen re-elected members.
The drama began when Mrs. Victoria Nyeche lawmaker-elect representing Port-Harcourt Constituency 1 from the All Progressives Congress (APC) was blocked from entering the hallowed chambers by security operatives purportedly on an order by the court.
The lawmaker-elect who represented the constituency during the 7th assembly vehemently opposed the decision, insisting that even though such an order existed, it does not stop her from entering the chambers as a former member of the house.
Her argument paved the way for her and she was allowed to sit in the chambers.
Before now, one Livingstone Weche had approached the court seeking an order to restrain the assembly from swearing-in Victoria Nyeche as a member of the assembly pending the determination of a suit in which he is accusing Mrs. Nyeche of impersonation.
Livingstone Weche had in the suit alleged that Mrs. Nyeche used the letter headed paper of the assembly to write a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria when she was yet to be sworn-in as a full member of the house.
When the business of the day began, the speaker, Hon. Dabotorudima Adams read an order from a High Court of Rivers State directing the house being a party in the suit to maintain status quo pending the full determination of the suit, stressing that the assembly would abide by the court order and refused to swear-in the lawmaker-elect.
The case we learnt is pending before Justice Adolphus Enebeli and has been adjourned till 28th April, 2016 for hearing.
The assembly however, swore-in ten others.
They swore-in members are, Martins Mannah (Ahoada East1), Edison Ehie (Ahoada East2), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru1), Ferdinand Anabraba (Akuku-Toru2), Kelechi Worgu (Omuma), Sam Ogeh (Emohua), Christian Ahiakwo (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni 1), Martins Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor 1), Michael Chinda (Obio/Akpor2) and Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2).
Hon. Andrew Miller of the APC representing Opobo/Nkoro constituency was absent at the swearing-in while Farah Dagogo of Degema constituency is challenging the refusal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State to issue him with Certificate of Return after he was allegedly returned as winner of the election in the area.
Not satisfied with the decision of the house, Victoria Nyeche said she was not aware of any court injunction against her, stressing that she was surprised at the decision of the house.
The lawmaker-elect maintained that she has been declared winner of the election by a higher court and Certificate of Return issued to her by INEC, adding that she will sought the advice of her lawyers on the next step to follow.
Similarly, the assembly also confirmed the appointment of Justice Christie Nwankwo as the substantive President Customary Court of Appeal of the state.
The assembly’s confirmation was consequent upon a request sent to the house by the governor asking for her to be screened and confirmed.
After the screening, the speaker confirmed her substantive PCCA of the state
