The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has nullified the expulsion of Martin Amaewhule and 24 others from the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Rivers State High Court.
A three-member panel of the Appeal Court ruled that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to grant the ex parte order.
The Appeal Court held that the ex parte order was made without jurisdiction and is therefore null and void.
According to the court, Section 272(3) of the Constitution gives the Federal High Court the authority to determine whether the seat of a House of Assembly member has become vacant.
It emphasized that the Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine if the seats have become vacant.
The Appeal Court further noted that the explicit mention of the Federal High Court in Section 272(3) of the Constitution automatically excludes all state high courts from having jurisdiction.
Appeal Court Overturns Order Blocking Amaewhuele, 24 Others from Acting as Lawmakers
