The Court of Appeal in Abuja has created a special three-member panel to address escalating political disputes from Rivers State, starting on November 14. This comes amid intensified legal battles sparked by a feud between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The conflict has led to factional divisions and conflicting rulings among courts of similar authority, prompting criticism from judicial stakeholders.

Court of Appeal President Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem appointed the panel, led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi with Justices Misitura Bokaji-Yusuf and James Abundaga, to manage all appeals tied to Rivers’ political crisis. The panel will handle cases involving key state political figures, including a notable appeal by Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as cases regarding the alleged defection of 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike from the PDP to the APC.

On Monday, the court adjourned several cases, including one where “the appeal, marked CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/1211m1/2024, is among the Rivers matters for which a special panel was constituted,” noted Justice Hamma Barka. Senior lawyer Chief Paul Erokoro, representing the appellant, informed the court of efforts to serve all respondents before Thursday.

The new panel will also hear cases by the Accountant General of Rivers State and the Action Peoples Party. Its formation aims to expedite resolutions and restore order amid Rivers State’s political turmoil.