Defection: Court Stops Cross River Assembly from declaring Seat Vacant

An Abuja Federal High Court Yesterday restrained Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. John Gaul Lebo , from declaring the Seat of a member of the House, Hon. Elucate Okora Ekom, vacant for defecting to the All Progressives congress (APC).

Ekom, who was elected on the platform of the peoples Democratic Party , defected to the APC last July, he represents Obubra 11 State Constituency .

The Speaker, Lebo had declared his seat vacant and ordered the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye-election in 180 days to fill the position, but the court presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba on August 9, ordered both parties to maintain the status quo that exist as at August 9.

Justice Dimgba adjourned to September 18 for further hearing.