Edison Ehie, who is the Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has obtained a court order that prevents him from being arrested. The Rivers State High Court granted the restraining order against the Nigerian Police on Wednesday. Ehie had approached the court to seek protection from arrest, detention, and harassment because he is suspected of involvement in the burning of the state House of Assembly in October 2023. Justice Sika Aprioku granted the ex-parte motion and postponed a hearing on the substantive application until February 6th.
This development comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for Ehie on Tuesday for allegedly aiding in the burning of the state assembly. The incident happened in October and involved an alleged attempt to remove Governor Fubara from office. The building was rocked by an explosion, and individuals close to the governor were also implicated.
Apart from Ehie, the court also issued orders for the arrest of Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri, and Chibuike Peter. These individuals were accused of being involved in the incident.
It is worth noting that a faction of lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule had filed a criminal petition against Ehie. The petition, which was 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.