A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an order preventing the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies from arresting Edison Ehie, the suspended Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The ruling was given by Justice IPC Igwe in response to a motion filed by Ehie.
The case names several security agencies as defendants, including the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the DSS, the Rivers State DSS Director, and the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Justice Igwe’s order states: “That an order of interim injunction be and is hereby issued restraining the defendants by themselves or by their agents, servants, assigns, privies or whosoever from further inviting, demanding the appearance of the claimant at their respective offices in Abuja or anywhere else or harassing, intimidating, arresting or detaining the claimant in connection with the alleged arson on the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly which occurred on 29th March, 2023 on account of the statement made on or about 27th March, 2025 or thereafter or however by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the Government of Rivers State or on account of any statement made by anyone whosoever.”
The court also directed that the Writ of Summons and other legal documents be served on the defendants in Abuja through Red Star Express Courier Service.
Furthermore, the judge ordered both parties to maintain the status quo until the court rules on the motion. “That both parties are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante litem as at 30th March, 2025 pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory Injunction,” the order stated.
Ehie was also required to submit an undertaking of N2 million to cover potential damages if the motion is found to be baseless.
The court has scheduled April 30, 2025, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
The case follows allegations by former Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, who accused Governor Fubara and Ehie of orchestrating the fire that engulfed the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex in 2023.
