The preliminary objection presented by the Nigerian Police, represented by its counsel Celestine Dickson, was dismissed by the Port Harcourt division of the Rivers State High Court.
In the preliminary objection, Mr. Dickson contested the court’s jurisdiction regarding the fundamental rights suit brought against the Police by the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Edison Ehie.
Our correspondent, in a suit filed on Thursday, reported that the objection was deemed to lack merit.
In her ruling, Justice Sika Aprioku affirmed the court’s jurisdiction and emphasized that the absence of the Nigeria Police Force as a party does not invalidate the suit, as the Commissioner of Police is already involved.
She concluded that the police’s application lacked merit and was a misuse of the court’s time. Justice Aprioku dismissed it and awarded costs of one hundred thousand naira in favor of Edison Ehie.
Furthermore, Justice Aprioku granted Mr. Ehie’s requests, as presented by his counsel, Damian Okoro SAN, to prohibit the police from arresting, detaining, harassing, or summoning Edison based on the allegations in the suit by Martin Amaewhule related to the destruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly Chambers.
Speaking to newsmen outside the court, counsel to the Police, Celestine Dickson said “That’s the wisdom of the court and you cannot criticize the court however we’ll study the judgment and advise our clients accordingly”
This development occurred shortly after the Rivers State Police Command publicly displayed the deceased body of the alleged cult leader, 2Baba, in connection with the killing of DPO Bako Angbashim, an accusation in which Edison is also implicated.