A Rivers State High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, has dismissed the preliminary objection raised by Celestine Dickson, counsel to the Nigeria Police, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the fundamental rights suit brought by Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Government House, against the police, citing a lack of merit.
Justice Sika Aprioku, in a ruling, asserted jurisdiction and emphasized that the non-joinder of the Nigeria Police Force in a matter involving the Commissioner of Police does not render the suit incompetent.
The trial Judge deemed the Police’s application lacking merit and subsequently dismissed it, imposing a cost of N100,000 in favor of Ehie.
Justice Aprioku also acceded to the requests of Ehie’s counsel, Damian Okoro, by issuing an injunction to restrain the police from arresting, detaining, harassing, or inviting Ehie based on alleged charges related to the explosion at the Rivers State House of Assembly on October 29, 2023.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Dickson, the police counsel, expressed his intention to scrutinize the judgment and provide appropriate advice to his clients.
Dickson stated, “That is the wisdom of the court, and we cannot criticize the wisdom of the court.
“The outcome of court decisions must bind parties. If you are not satisfied, I think you should study the judgment and take the next step.”
Ibioku Mac-Barango, one of the counsels to the Chief of Staff, commented that the judgment aligns with the position of the law.