The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, October 27, 2025, directed the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, its Speaker, and five other officials to appear before it and show cause why they should not be restrained from initiating impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo.
The order followed an ex-parte motion filed by Senator Ewhrudjakpo, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2219/2025, against the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, its Speaker, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Bayelsa State Attorney General, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, and the Clerk of the State House of Assembly.
Filed on October 17, the motion sought an interim injunction restraining the defendants from removing or attempting to remove Ewhrudjakpo from office, particularly in relation to his decision to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and not defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other registered political party before the completion of his four-year tenure as Deputy Governor.
The Deputy Governor also sought to restrain the defendants from initiating impeachment notices, conducting meetings or conferences aimed at impeachment, recognizing or dealing with the appointment of any APC member as Deputy Governor, and withdrawing his security detail.
The motion cited potential violations of Sections 188(5)–(11) and Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), highlighting that any move to remove him would be unlawful and unconstitutional.
In court, the affidavit in support of the motion, sworn by Kareem Henry, detailed the Deputy Governor’s grounds for seeking protection from impeachment. Arguments were presented by his counsel, Reuben Egwuaba.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered on Monday and later certified as a true copy for media circulation, granted the prayer for an interim order. The court directed the seven defendants to appear and explain why an interlocutory injunction restraining them from taking any action to impeach the Deputy Governor should not be granted.
The judge also restrained the defendants from taking any steps toward impeaching Ewhrudjakpo or undermining his position until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The case was adjourned to November 13, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
Leave a Comment