A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained the Nigerian Police from arresting and harassing a Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chizy Enyi.
The presiding judge, Justice I.R Minakiri, issued the restraining order following an ex parte application filed by Chizy Enyi over a petition by the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Dr Chidi Lloyd.
Dr Lloyd had petitioned the Inspector General of Police at the force headquarters against Chizy Enyi for allegedly inciting the public, cultism and criminal activities, amongst other offences.
Justice Minakiri, in her ruling, warned that the police must not arrest the plaintiff pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice and thereafter adjourned the case to May 2, 2024, for a hearing.
Mr Enyi, while reacting to the order, expressed confidence in the judiciary, even as he called on the police and Dr Lloyd to appear in court to probe their investigation.
He stated, “It’s unfortunate that police will allow themselves to be used on a mission of witch hunt.
“Thank God for the Judiciary, since the police cannot do an investigation before carrying out an arrest, the court will help all the parties to know their position.
“I commend the position of the judiciary in the matter, let the police and Dr Chidi Lloyd come to the court to prove their investigation that warranted them to place me on arrest,
“It’s unfortunate that police will allow themselves to be used on a mission of witch hunt, thank God for the Judiciary, since the police cannot do an investigation before carrying out an arrest, the court will help all the parties to know their position.”
Source: Punch
