Alleged Terrorism: Court Orders Arrest Of Fubara’s Chief Of Staff, Others

ABUJA – Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday issued a warrant for the arrest of Hon. Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalaye Fubara, over his alleged involvement in the burning of the State House of Assembly.

Also ordered to be arrested are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri and Chibuike Peter aka known as Rambo.

Ehie, the immediate past factional Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly was ordered to be arrested with the five other persons for allegedly participating in some criminal activities.

Justice Nwite made the order upon an an ex-parte application moved before him by the Inspector General of Police IGP.

The ex-parte application was filed pursuant to sections 37, 113, 114, 84 and 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and section 35 of the 1999 Constitution as well as section 32 of the Police Act 2020.

The ex-parte application was marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/12/2024.

A Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Simon Lough SAN, who argued the ex-parte motion informed the court that the six defendants were said to be at large.

Lough submitted that the defendants were allegedly involved in conspiracy, arson, terrorism, attempted murder and murder of a Superintendent of Police, Bako Agbashim and five other police informants.

READ ALSO: LP Members Facing Threats After 2023 Elections – Abure Alleges

The five police informants they are alleged to have been killed are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi.

After listening to Lough, Justice Nwite granted the request of the IGP to declare the defendants wanted and upon their arrest and investigation, bring them before the court for trial.

Recall that the IGP had filed charges two weeks ago against five Port Harcourt-based person’s over allegation of terrorism.

After their arraignment, the trial Judge, Mobolaji Olajuwon,
remanded them at Kuje Correctional Centre till February 2, when their respective bail applications will be argued.

READ ALSO: AFCON 2023: Super Eagles become top-ranked team, Favourite to clinch trophy after Morocco’s exit

The five defendants are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.

Specifically, the 7-count charges pressed against the defendants accused them of committing alleged terrorism offences by invading, vandalizing and burning down the Rivers State House of Assembly during the wake of political crisis that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year