Court Halts Arrest of Fubara's Chief of Staff by Police and DSS

A High Court in Rivers State located in Port Harcourt has prohibited the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security from arresting or summoning Edison Ehie, who serves as the Chief of Staff to the suspended state governor, due to accusations presented by the erstwhile Rivers Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.

Justice I.P.C. Igwe delivered the judgment in Case Number PHC/1113/CS/2025, brought forth by Ehie against the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police for Rivers State, the Nigerian Police Force, the Police Service Commission, the Director-General of the Department for State Services (DSS), the Rivers State DSS Director, as well as the DSS itself.

On Thursday, Justice Igwe ruled, "An interim injunction order shall be and is hereby granted, prohibiting the defendants along with their representatives, employees, successors, associates, or anyone acting under them from compelling the claimant’s presence at their various offices in Abuja or elsewhere, as well as ceasing all harassment, intimidation, arrest, or detention of the claimant concerning the purported fire incident that took place on October 29, 2023, within the sacred chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This directive applies specifically due to statements allegedly made around March 27, 2025, or later by Dr. George Nwaeke, who was formerly the head of service for the government of Rivers State, or stemming from any comments made by individuals regardless of time, location, or identity until the motion for an interlocutory injunction has been heard."

The court additionally approved Ehie’s request to deliver legal papers to the police and Department of State Services (DSS) offices located in Abuja. The ruling specified, "Permission is hereby granted to the claimants to issue and serve the writ of summons along with all associated documentation related to this case upon the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th defendants outside the jurisdiction of this honorable court but within Abuja, specifically at their designated addresses as mentioned in the motion paper. These locations include: - For the 1st and 3rd defendants: Louis Edet House, Area II, Garki, Abuja. - For the 4th defendant: Via the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Federal Secretariat Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, FCT. - For the 6th and 7th defendants: National Headquarters, Yellow House, Aso Drive, Maitama, Abuja."

The judge additionally decreed, "Pursuant to Section 98 of the Sheriffs and Civil Procedures Act, the Writ along with its related procedures should be designated as a concurrent writ for service outside the jurisdiction in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory."

To guarantee that the legal documents arrive at the required parties, the court permitted service via courier. "It is further ordered that permission shall likewise be granted to the Plaintiff to deliver the Writ of Summons along with all pertinent proceedings in this case to the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th Defendants using an alternative method—specifically, by sending them through Red Star Express Courier Service addressed to each Defendant’s location in Abuja according to the details provided in the motion papers. Additionally, proof of posting and delivery must be filed with the court."

The court further instructed both sides to keep everything unchanged, stating: "Both parties must preserve the conditions as they were before litigation as of March 30, 2025, until the date set for the hearing regarding the Interlocutory Injunction through a formal notice."

Part of the judgment mandated Ehie to furnish a financial assurance with the condition, "The Claimant must commit to a bond for the amount of 2 million naira solely, ensuring reimbursement to the Defendants should the principal application prove to be without merit."

The proceedings were deferred until April 30, 2025, for the consideration of the Motion on Notice regarding the Interlocutory Injunction.

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