Arrest Warrant Issued for Rivers State Governor’s Chief of Staff and Six Others Linked to Arson at Rivers State House of Assembly
A Federal High Court in Abuja has authorized the arrest of Hon Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in connection with the alleged burning of the State House of Assembly. The court also ordered the arrest of five other individuals based in Port Harcourt, including Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri, and Chibuike Peter, known as Rambo, for their alleged involvement in criminal activities.
The arrest warrant was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite in response to an ex-parte application filed by the Inspector General of Police. The application was based on various sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the 1999 Constitution, and the Police Act, 2020. The defendants are reportedly at large and are accused of conspiracy, arson, terrorism, attempted murder, and the murder of a Superintendent of Police and five police informants.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Simon Lough, argued the ex-parte application, stating that the defendants were involved in serious criminal offenses. These offenses allegedly include the killing of the Superintendent of Police, SP Bako Agbashim, and five police informants, identified as Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu, and Saturday Edi.
Justice Nwite granted the request of the Inspector General of Police to declare the defendants wanted. Once arrested, they will be brought before the court for trial. The case is marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/12/2024.
This development follows a recent trial by the IGP, where five individuals from Port Harcourt were remanded at Kuje Prison on terrorism charges related to the same incident. They are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald, and Ochueja Thankgod. These defendants are accused of invading, vandalizing, and burning down the Rivers State House of Assembly during a political crisis in October last year.
The defendants are currently in prison custody pending the determination of their bail applications on February 2. The charges against them include alleged terrorism offenses related to the arson at the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Daily Post
