Rivers Court stops Police action against Gov. Fubara’s Chief of Staff; Abuja Court orders his arrest
A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has granted an ex-parte motion filed by Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to Governor Sim Fubara. The motion seeks to restrain the Nigerian Police and other security agencies from arresting, detaining, or harassing Ehie regarding his alleged involvement in the explosion at the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Ehie approached the court seeking protection against Police action related to the incident. The Presiding Judge, Justice Sika Aprioku, granted the ex-parte order and subsequently adjourned the case to February 6, 2024, for the hearing of the substantive application.
The lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule, had previously submitted a criminal petition to the Rivers State Police Command, alleging Ehie’s involvement in the invasion and arson attack on the State Assembly chambers by unknown hoodlums. The petition urged the police to arrest and prosecute Ehie in connection with the fire incident that occurred on October 29, 2023.
The court order provides temporary protection for Ehie who was at the time a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly from police action until the substantive application is heard. The case is another chapter of the ongoing political tussle between ex-gov Nyesom Wike and his successor, Gov. Fubara.
In a related development, a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, issued a warrant for the arrest of Ehie over his alleged involvement in the burning of the state House of Assembly.
The court also ordered that Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri, and Chibuike Peter also known as Rambo be arrested for allegedly participating in some criminal activities.
