Port Harcourt, Rivers State – April 4, 2025 – A Rivers State High Court has issued an interim injunction, effectively barring the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies from arresting Edison Ehie, the suspended Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The order, delivered by Justice IPC Igwe, comes in response to a motion filed by Ehie, naming key security agencies as defendants.
Africa Update gathered that the defendants in the case include the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the DSS, the Rivers State DSS Director, and the Police Service Commission (PSC). Justice Igwe’s ruling specifically prohibits these agencies from “inviting, demanding the appearance of, harassing, intimidating, arresting or detaining” Ehie in connection with allegations of arson at the Rivers State House of Assembly in March 2023.
The order directly addresses claims stemming from statements made by former Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, who accused Governor Fubara and Ehie of orchestrating the assembly fire. Justice Igwe’s ruling stated that the prohibition of arrest extends to accusations related to Nwaeke’s statements made on or around March 27, 2025, or any other statements made by anyone.
The court has also mandated that the Writ of Summons and other legal documents be served on the defendants in Abuja via Red Star Express Courier Service. Furthermore, Justice Igwe ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the court rules on the motion for interlocutory injunction, setting the hearing for April 30, 2025.
Ehie is required to provide a N2 million undertaking to cover potential damages should the motion be deemed frivolous. This legal action follows the serious allegations leveled by Dr. Nwaeke, which have intensified political tensions in Rivers State.
