The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued a warrant for the arrest of the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Rivers State, Hon. Edison Ehie. The court also ordered the arrest of five other persons accused of complicity in the alleged invasion, vandalization and burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, followed an ex-parte application brought before the court by the Inspector General of Police, IGP. The application was based on various sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the 1999 Constitution, as well as the Police Act 2020.
According to the application, the six defendants, including Ehie, are currently at large and are accused of conspiracy, arson, terrorism, attempted murder, and the murder of a Superintendent of Police and five other police informants in Rivers State. The court was persuaded by the submissions and an affidavit attached in support of the application.
Among those ordered to be arrested are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri, and Chibuike Peter a.k.a Rambo. The court held that the defendants were involved in serious criminal offenses and posed a threat to public safety.
The warrant for their arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the violent events at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex. The police have named the deceased informants as Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu, and Saturday Edi.
The ruling by the Federal High Court underscores the determination to hold those responsible for the violence and destruction of property accountable. As the defendants are currently at large, law enforcement agencies are expected to intensify efforts to apprehend them and bring them to justice.
