The jurisdictional challenge raised by Celestine Dickson, the legal representative of the Nigeria Police, against the fundamental rights suit brought by Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Government House, has been dismissed by a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt. The objection was deemed lacking merit.
In a recent ruling, Justice Sika Aprioku upheld the court’s jurisdiction and clarified that the absence of the Nigeria Police Force as a party in a case involving the Commissioner of Police does not invalidate the suit.
The court found the police’s objection to be without merit and subsequently rejected it, while also ordering a cost of N100,000 to be paid in favor of Ehie.
Furthermore, Justice Aprioku granted the requests made by Ehie’s counsel, Damian Okoro, by issuing an injunction preventing the police from taking any action against Ehie, such as arresting, detaining, harassing, or summoning him, in connection to the incident at the Rivers State House of Assembly on October 29, 2023.
Following the court proceedings, the police counsel, Dickson, spoke to reporters and expressed his intention to review the judgment and advise his clients accordingly.
He remarked, “The court’s decision stands, and we respect its wisdom.”
“The decisions of the court must be honored by all parties. If dissatisfied, one should analyze the judgment and decide on the next course of action,” he added.
On the other hand, Ibioku Mac-Barango, one of Ehie’s legal representatives, noted that the judgment aligns with legal principles.