In a thorough analysis of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Rivers State House of Assembly, renowned attorney and actor Kenneth Okonkwo acknowledged the constitutional provisions regarding defections while calling for greater judicial consistency.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Speaking on Symfoni TV, Okonkwo stressed the need for legal principles to remain aligned, explaining that judicial rulings should not contradict existing laws. “Laws should not be in conflict with each other; they must be consistent to uphold judicial precedent,” he stated.
Okonkwo further underscored the characteristics of a reliable legal system, asserting that laws must remain constant. Expressing his stance on the ruling, he added, “A law should be stable, and I do not agree with this judgment.”
Despite his criticism, he acknowledged that constitutional provisions regarding defections are clear. Citing Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he emphasized that lawmakers who switch political parties automatically lose their seats. “The law explicitly states that defection leads to the loss of a seat,” he pointed out.
He backed his argument with evidence, stating, “These lawmakers themselves admitted to defecting in sworn affidavits.”
His analysis sheds light on the legal and constitutional issues surrounding legislative defections while raising concerns about the consistency of judicial rulings in Nigeria’s legal system.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
