Court nullifies Rivers council election,as explosion rocks court premises

A Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, has ordered the cancellation of the local government elections conducted in Rivers State few days to the expiration of the tenure of former Governor Rotimi Ameachi’s tenure as governor of the state.

Justice Lambo Akanbi, in his ruling, berated the former administration of Rotimi Amaechi for conducting the local council elections despite his order that all parties should maintain status quo and leave the rest.

Justice Akanbi also accused the immediate past government of “flagrant disobedience of court processes.

“The respondent (APC) was aware of the order that they should leave the rest. The respondent committed contempt of court for going ahead to hold the elections while the suit is pending.

“While a matter is in court nothing should be done to prejudice the matter.

“The parties cannot jump the gun to do anything in their own way. A party in a suit cannot resort to self help. Whenever a ruling has not been given, parties are bound to maintain status quo.

“The attitude of the 2nd and 3rd respondents in this matter are Unacceptable, provocative, lawless and condemnable. We must learn to uphold the rule of law. It helps to strengthen our democracy.

“I hereby set aside the Local government elections held on the 23rd of May, 2015″, Justice Akanbi ruled.

Meantime, there was an explosion outside the court premises this morning. No casualty was however recorded.

At press time, there was heavy presence of security men on the ever busy Station road where the High court is located.