By Passman Akpos
Abuja — A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, its Speaker, and five others to appear before it to show cause why they should not be restrained from proceeding with any move to impeach the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo.
The order was issued by Justice Emeka Nwite on October 27, 2025, while ruling on an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2219/2025, filed by Senator Ewhrudjakpo. The Bayelsa State House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Attorney-General of Bayelsa State, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, and the Clerk of the Assembly were listed as defendants.
The Deputy Governor, through his counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, approached the court on October 17 seeking an order of interim injunction to prevent any impeachment attempt allegedly linked to his refusal to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the suit, Ewhrudjakpo asked the court to restrain the defendants from removing or impeaching him in violation of the provisions of Section 188(5)-(11) and Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice.
He specifically prayed the court to stop the defendants from initiating or conducting any impeachment proceedings, meetings, or conferences targeting his removal from office. Ewhrudjakpo also sought an order restraining them from recognizing or appointing any member of the APC as Deputy Governor in his place.
The Deputy Governor further requested the court to restrain the IGP, the DSS Director, and the Bayelsa Attorney-General from withdrawing his official security protection, alleging a plot to destabilize his office following his refusal to decamp alongside Governor Douye Diri, the Speaker, and 23 lawmakers who purportedly defected to the APC during a state executive meeting on October 15, 2025.
After considering the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by one Kareem Henry and arguments presented by Ewhrudjakpo’s counsel, Justice Nwite granted the first prayer of the motion.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite stated:
> “An order is hereby made directing the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th defendants to appear and show cause why an order of interim injunction should not be granted against them pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”
The court consequently adjourned the matter to November 13, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice seeking to restrain the Bayelsa Assembly and others from taking any steps toward the impeachment of Senator Ewhrudjakpo.
