February 02, (THEWILL) – The Federal High Court, Abuja, has struck out an application filed by Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff (CoS), to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, seeking an order to strike out the 7-count charge bothering on arson and murder filed against him and five others for want of jurisdiction.
Justice Bolaji Olajuwon, in a ruling, held that Ehie, having not been joined as a defendant in the charge, lacked the legal right to make such a plea.
Justice Olajuwon also struck out Ehie’s prayer for an order striking out his name anywhere it might appear in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024.
The judge agreed with the police lawyer, Simon Lough (SAN), that having not been joined as a defendant in the charge, Ehie’s application cannot be heard.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja had on Wednesday issued a warrant for the arrest of Ehie, over his alleged involvement in the burning of the State House of Assembly.
The court also ordered the arrest of five other persons, including Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri and Chibuike Peter a.k.a Rambo, who were accused of complicity in the alleged invasion, vandalisation and burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.
The Inspector General of Police had in an ex-parte application brought before the court, accused Ehie and others, of conspiracy, arson, terrorism, attempted murder and murder of a Superintendent of Police, SP Bako Agbashim and five other police informants in Rivers State, including Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi.
Upon resumed hearing of the case on Friday, Ehie’s lawyer, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), informed the court that he had filed an application dated and filed on January 24, seeking to quash the charges over lack of jurisdiction.
He argued that it was incorrect that Ehie, whose name featured in the counts preferred by the Inspector-General (IG) of the Police, had no right to make the application.
“It would have been different if the name was not there at all”, he said, He equally argued that in their affidavit it was clearly stated that at no time was his client ever invited by the police.
However, running on the order, Justice Olajuwon, held that Ehie is not a party in the charge.
“Who is this person? The person is not a party in this charge and the order challenging the jurisdiction of the court is refused”, the Court held, adding that Ehie’s name was only mentioned as a person who is at large, which was just a statement.
“If that person is not at large, let him make himself available to the police”, she said.
Olajuwon subsequently struck out Ehie’s prayer seeking to strike out his name anywhere it was mentioned in the charge.
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