A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has set aside the arrest warrant issued against Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and five others.
News About Nigeria reported that the warrant was issued on January 31 in connection with the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt.
The court had declared them wanted for alleged conspiracy, arson, terrorism, attempted murder, and murder of a police officer and five informants.
They were also accused of using various cult groups to carry out evil activities against innocent people in the state.
However, on Thursday, the court set aside the warrant and ex-parte orders, citing lack of jurisdiction due to no pending charges.
The decision followed submissions by counsel Femi Falana (SAN) and Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), who argued that the court had no authority to grant the ex-parte application brought by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) against Ehie and the others.
The crisis in Rivers State began last year, culminating in an explosion that razed the state assembly complex on October 30, 2023.
The crisis escalated when attempts were made to impeach Governor Fubara and the then Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Edison Ehie, by former Governor Nyesom Wike and loyalist lawmakers.
Some of Fubara’s loyalists were subsequently remanded by the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged involvement in the explosion.
The five of them who were arraigned before Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of the Court, include Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Ochueja Thankgod and Osiga Donald.
