Drama as Court Stops Police From Arresting Fubara’s Chief of Staff, Ehie

Drama as Court Stops Police From Arresting Fubara’s Chief of Staff, Ehie

  • The crisis rocking the Rivers Assembly is not ending soon despite the recent decision by Governor Fubara to give room for peace in the state
  • High Court in FCT on Wednesday, issued a warrant of arrest against Fubara's chief of staff, Edison Ehie, over the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex
  • In a swift move, Rivers State High Court issued an order countering the previous court's decision against Ehie

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements

Following the recent political crisis that rocked Rivers state, the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt Division, has granted an ex-parte order restraining the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies from arresting, Edison Ehie.

Rivers Assembly, Wike, Edison Ehie, Fubara, Rivers crisis
Rivers State High Court grants a protective order to Edison Ehie. Photo credit: Edison Ehie, Sir Siminalayi Fubara
Source: Facebook

The order which was granted following a motion ex-parte filed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor had sought to stop the police from arresting him over his alleged involvement in the burning of the Hallowed Chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly in 2023, Channels TV reported.

Read also

Rivers crisis: Is Wike violating peace accord? Group reacts

How Explosion rocked Rivers Assembly that led to Ehie's recent ordeal

Recall that on Sunday night, October 29, 2023, an explosion rocked the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.

The incident came amid alleged moves by some lawmakers to impeach Governor Sim Fubara.

The explosion forced Rivers's government to demolish the state assembly.

High court restricts police from arresting Ehie, Fubara's CoS

However, on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, the presiding Judge, Sika Aprioku granted the order before adjourning the matter to February 6, for a hearing of the substantive application.

At the height of the political crisis in the state, the Martin Amaewhule-led group had petitioned the police demanding that Ehie be arrested, investigated, and prosecuted over allegations of his involvement in the suspected arson at the House of Assembly Complex.

Read also

Tension as court orders arrest of Governor Fubara’s Chief of Staff

Senior lawyer says Fubara risks impeachment

In another development, a senior lawyer exposed the game plan of Rivers assembly lawmakers after Fubara decided to make peace with his predecessor, Wike.

Adeleke Agbola (SAN) disclosed that Fubara could be impeached if he does not apply caution.

This comes after Fubara received the lawmakers who defected to the APC but were loyal to Wike and re-appointed commissioners who resigned during the Rivers crisis.

Fubara swears in 9 of Wike's re-nominated commissioners

Legit.ng reported earlier that Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Friday, January 26, swore in nine re-nominated commissioners, who had earlier resigned.

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted at the state Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt.

The new commissioners took the oaths at once, beginning from the oath of allegiance to the oath of office.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Esther Odili avatar

Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institue of Journalism (NIJ), where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. In 2024, Esther obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.