Amaewhule, Others Secretly Withdrew Case After Affidavit Became Public – Femi Falana

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has revealed that Martin Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly secretly withdrew their court case after realizing that their affidavit confirming their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) had become public knowledge.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, Falana explained that the lawmakers had approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, swearing under oath that they were no longer members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They also sought an ex parte order to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from declaring their seats vacant.

Detailing the court’s response, Falana stated:

“They went to a Federal High Court here in Abuja and swore to an affidavit that they were no longer in the PDP. ‘Please, INEC,’ and they got an ex parte injunction—ex parte order, ‘please don’t fill our seats yet, INEC.’ And the Court said, ‘Okay, for this serious order you are asking for, you will pay damages.’ I think it is N5 million or so, which they haven’t paid.

“But as soon as they now knew that the affidavit had become public knowledge, they then secretly withdrew the case. But that affidavit stands forever. It is a record of the court that we are no longer members of the PDP, we have now decamped to the APC.”

This development raises further questions about the status of the lawmakers in the Rivers State Assembly, as their legal admission of defection could have constitutional implications.

The full video of Falana’s statement can be accessed via Channels Television’s X handle:

Rivers Crisis: Fubara is right to relate with only three members of the House of Assembly, says Falana.#CTVTweets#PoliticsToday pic.twitter.com/SADtnCGXn9

— Channels Television (@channelstv) February 10, 2025