Court Stops Patience Jonathan's Boy, Evans Bipi from Parading Self As Rivers Speaker

The High Court of Rivers State sitting in Ahoada has ordered the controversial member of the State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, who had sneaked into the House of Assembly on July 9, 2013, with four others to sit and declare himself Speaker of the House, from parading himself as such, effective immediately.


Judge C.N. Wali, presiding, was ruling on an interim injunction for the maintenance of the undisputed position in the Assembly prior to the commencement of hostilities on July 9, 2013.

Granting the order, which followed an affidavit filed by Deputy Speaker Leyii Kwanee last Friday, the court restrained Mr. Bipi from calling or acknowledging himself as the Speaker.

He is also forbidden, among others, from allowing himself to be addressed in that manner by any person in any guise, writing to any person in that manner; or acting in any manner whatsoever as the Speaker.

The court further ordered Mr Bipi not to do anything whatsoever to obstruct, hinder, prevent or disturb the real and authentic Speaker of the House, Otelemaba D. Amachree and the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Kwanee.

Consequently, the High Court also ordered the Police Force and its principal officers, including IG of Police, to enforce the orders and to accord to the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker recognition and protection.

This judgement is a big blow to acting Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, who had promised the powers that be in Aso Rock that he will make Bipi the speaker with just five lawmakers behind him,