Court to render verdict on Fubara’s Chief of Staff arrest on March 25th

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled March 25, 2024, as the date for a crucial ruling on an application aimed at revoking the warrant for the arrest of Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor. The warrant was issued following allegations linking Ehie to the arson at the state House of Assembly premises, among other offenses. Justice Emeka Nwite had initially ordered Ehie’s arrest, along with several others, based on an ex-parte application brought forth by the Inspector General of Police on January 31, 2024.

The backdrop of the case revolves around an explosion at the state assembly complex on October 30, 2023, amidst reported attempts by certain lawmakers to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara. While Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri, and Chibuike Peter were arraigned in Abuja on charges including conspiracy, arson, attempted murder, and murder on January 24, 2024, Ehie’s name was mentioned in the counts but he was not listed as a defendant.

During the recent court proceedings, Ehie’s legal representative, Oluwole Aladedoye, argued for the warrant’s dismissal, asserting that his client had never declined any police invitation. Aladedoye emphasized that Ehie had not been formally invited for questioning by the police and disputed his implication in the charges, particularly those related to murder and arson.