Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has secured a court order restraining him from arrest.
A Rivers State High Court on Wednesday granted the restraining order against the Nigerian Police.
Ehie, suspected of involvement in the burning of the state House of Assembly in October 2023, had approached the court seeking protection from arrest, detention, and harassment. Justice Sika Aprioku granted the ex-parte motion, postponing a hearing on the substantive application until February 6th.
The development comes just one day after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for Ehie for allegedly aiding in the burning of the state assembly. The October incident, which involved an alleged attempt to remove Governor Fubara from office, saw the building rocked by an explosion. Individuals close to the governor were also implicated.
Aside from Ehie, the court also issued orders for the arrest of Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri, and Chibuike Peter.
Recall that a faction of lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule had filed a criminal petition against Ehie. The petition, submitted to the Rivers State Police Command, accused Ehie, now the Chief of Staff, of playing a role in the burning of the assembly building.
