Appeal Court Sets Special Panel for Rivers Disputes

|By Ejalonibu Kolawole –

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has appointed a special three-judge panel to handle political cases arising from Rivers State, with proceedings scheduled to begin Thursday, November 14. This development follows rising legal disputes due to a rift between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Court of Appeal President Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem appointed Justices Onyekachi Otisi, Misitura Bokaji-Yusuf, and James Abundaga to address the ongoing legal clashes. “The appeal, marked CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/1211m1/2024, is among the cases assigned to the special panel,” Justice Hamma Barka noted during Monday’s proceedings, adjourning several appeals related to the political crisis.

High-profile cases, including those involving the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress over alleged defections, will be reviewed by this special panel. Senior counsel Chief Paul Erokoro informed the court that all parties would be served necessary documents by Thursday to ensure smooth proceedings.