Court stops Rivers, security agencies from arresting Atiku’s men
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained security agencies and Rivers State Government from arresting key supporters of the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alh. Atiku Abubakar, in the state.
Justice A.T. Ibrahim issued the order against the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) following a motion ex parte filed by some members of the PDP in the state.
Justice Ibrahim ordered the Rivers State Government and other respondents to maintain status quo until the determination of the suit.
The plaintiffs are former National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, Senator Lee Maeba, Dr Abiye Sekibo, Senator George Sekibo, Sir Celestine Omehia, and Austin Opara, among others.
The plaintiffs accused the Rivers State Government of harassing and intimidating their supporters in the state.
The Atiku Support Organization had alleged that 30 of its members were arrested in the GRA axis of Port Harcourt during a meeting to prepare for the proposed campaign visit of Atiku.
A few days later the police through its Spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, said their operatives raided criminal hideouts and arrested 32 suspected cultists in two different locations.
About 20 of the suspects were arraigned in a Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt presided over by Chief Magistrate Collins Ali.
The court directed that the suspects be remanded in the Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to March 22, 2023 for bail consideration.
