Rights suit: Court dismisses motion against former Rivers Chief of Staff

Justice Sika Aprioku of a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed the preliminary objection filed by the police challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the fundamental rights suit by Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Government, Edison Ehie.

The suit was dismissed for lack of merit.
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In his ruling, the judge held that the non-joinder of the Nigeria Police Force in a matter of which the Commissioner of Police is a party, does not render the suit incompetent.

Justice Aprioku said the application filed by Celestine Dickson, on behalf of the police, lacked merit and thereby dismissed it with a cost of N150,000 in favour of the applicant.

The judge also granted the prayers of Ehie’s counsel, Damian Okoro, requesting the court to restrain the police from arresting, detaining, harassing or inviting Ehie, based on trumped-up charges in the suit by Martin Amaewhule, in connection with the destruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly chambers.

Speaking outside the courtroom, counsel to the police, Dickson, said he would study the judgment and advise his clients accordingly.

On his part, counsel to the Chief of Staff, Ibioku Mac-Barango, said the judgment reflects the position of the law.
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