Port Harcourt, Rivers State – The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an interim injunction restraining the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), and other security agencies from arresting, inviting, or detaining Mr. Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
The ruling, delivered by Justice I. Igwe, also affects several other defendants, including the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission, the State Director of the SSS in Rivers State, and the SSS as an entity.
In his decision, Justice Igwe granted permission for the claimant to issue and serve the writ of summons and other legal documents to the defendants who are outside the jurisdiction of the court. These documents will be sent to the first, third, fourth, fifth, and seventh defendants at their respective addresses in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in accordance with Section 98 of the Sheriffs and Civil Procedures Act. The court also ordered that these documents be sent through substituted means, specifically by post via Red Star Express Courier Service, with proof of delivery to be filed in court.
Furthermore, the court issued an interim injunction preventing the defendants, their agents, or any affiliates from taking any action that would result in the harassment, intimidation, arrest, or detention of Mr. Ehie. The order specifically prohibits the security agencies from demanding his presence at their offices in Abuja or anywhere else in connection with allegations related to the March 29, 2023, arson incident at the Rivers State House of Assembly. This also extends to any statements made by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the Rivers State Government, or any other individual.
Additionally, the court directed both parties to maintain the status quo ante litem as of March 30, 2025, pending the hearing of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction. The claimant, Mr. Ehie, was also ordered to provide an undertaking in the sum of N2 million as indemnity to the defendants in case the substantive motion is later deemed frivolous.
The case has been adjourned to April 30, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.
