The Rivers State Police Command has refused to re-open the state House of Assembly,even after a Federal High Court order.

The Assembly was expected to be re-opened yesterday (Monday), but the Police Command, which had hitherto assured to take the action, changed its decision. This development has been greeted with criticisms by the lawmakers.

The police had drawn the attention of the lawmakers to an application at the court of appeal for a stay of action on the decision of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which had earlier nulled the takeover of the functions of the Assembly by the National Assembly.

Mr. Ahmed Mohammed, Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed that the assembly would remain closed until the motion of a stay of execution was determined or vacated.