A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed the final case challenging the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), DAILY POST reports.

The case was filed by the BOOT Party against the lawmakers, who are led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule. The lawmakers are known to be loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.

Justice Emmanuel Obile ruled in favour of the lawmakers, bringing an end to the legal battles surrounding their defection.

Reacting to the ruling, an aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, shared a statement on social media:

“THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT 2 PH PRESIDED OVER BY HON. JUSTICE E. A. OBILE HAS TODAY, 5TH MAY, 2025 DISMISSED THE LAST DEFECTION SUIT FILED BY (BOOT) PARTY AGAINST RT. HON. MARTIN CHIKE AMAEWHULE & 26 OTHERS. THE COURT HELD THAT IT ALIGNED ITSELF COMPLETELY WITH THE JUDGEMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF 28TH FEBRUARY, 2025; SAME SUBJECT MATTER HAVING BEEN CONCLUSIVELY RESOLVED AND DETERMINED.”

This ruling follows an earlier decision by the same court, which also dismissed a similar suit brought by lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.