Nigerian Court Restrains Police, APC From Arresting 68 PDP Leaders In Edo Ahead Of Gov Election

Edo State High Court Justice Igho Braimoh has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to refrain from arresting and detaining 68 Peoples Democratic Party leaders pending a hearing of a substantive application for the enforcement of their fundamental rights.

Despite this, reports suggest the Inspector General of Police and Edo State Commissioner continue harassing PDP members ahead of the September 21 governorship election, sparking concerns of election interference.

The Edo State Government has sounded the alarm over the arrest and intimidation of PDP leaders, alleging that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is behind these actions to prevent them from participating in the upcoming governorship election on September 21.

According to reports, over 10 PDP leaders, including a local government council chairman, are being detained by the police. This has raised concerns about attempts to rig the election in favour of the ruling APC.

The PDP has accused rogue police officers, allegedly paid by the APC, of harassing and kidnapping PDP chieftains across the state. Specifically, they’ve pointed fingers at Deputy Commissioner of Police Patrick Ejedawe, claiming he’s being used as a political mercenary by APC politicians.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a former PDP presidential candidate, has urged security agencies to remain neutral and release detained PDP leaders.

The Edo State PDP has also called for an end to intimidation and devious plots to silence party leaders, emphasising that no amount of threats will hinder the defeat awaiting the APC in the election.

These developments highlight the tensions and challenges surrounding the Edo State election, with concerns about fairness, security, and the rule of law.

 

But ruling in a motion ex-parte in Suit No: B/230/2024 the PDP leaders brought through their Counsel J.I. Odibeli before the court against the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police in Edo State, C.S.P. Ibrahim Angbasah, and Mr. Jarrett Tenebe (APC Chairman in Edo State), as 1st to 4th Respondents, Justice Braimoh specifically stated that the order would last for 14 days.

The Applicants (PDP leaders) include Mukhtar Yusuf-Osagie, Odion Olaye, Austine Edosomwam, Aideyan Ukponmwan, Kingsley Osagui, David Olukoga, Mr. Aghedo, Osaigbovo Iyoha, Osazee Obazee, Odion Odigie, Akhere Odigie, Noel Matthew, Enojie Luke, Emma Oruto, Osi Imojiri, Victor Obanor and Chief Osarenren Johnson.

Others include Osaro Clinton, Stevenson Oshodin, Festus Baloghan, Bright Aguebor, Godwin Odeh, Austine Nwahor, Christopher Sunday, Ayuba Sedemu, Akum Zibira, Efe Johnson, Israel Idahosa, Ezekiel Daniel, Godstime Ogidaba, Stanley Odalolo, Victory Adeyan, Ikogwe Anthony, Benco Irowa, Raymond Ogieriakhi, Hope Aghedo, Imafindon Osagie, Dayo Ojo, Uwuigbe Obaretin, and Obakpolor Joshua.

The rest are Augustine Nosa Uhunmwangho, OkpoAgbomere Emmanuel, Hon. Mamodu Rasaki, Iruonagbe Vincent, Kiriya Sunday, Perewie Kiriya, Henry Okeren, Friday Benson, Raphael Edward, Prince Johnson Atseleghe, Felix Edogiawere Ohen, Hon. Newman Oghomwen Ugiagbe, Barr. (Hon.) Tajudeen AladeSuleman, Hon. Paul Onosedebalyoha, Dr. Eric Iyobo Osayande, Dr. Tom Obaseki, Hon. Asuelimhen Clement, Hon. Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri, Hon. Eghe Osas Ogbemudia, Hon. Louis Imhandegbelo, Hon Collins Aigbogun, Hon Zibiri Muhizu Marvelous, Hon. Collins Osamede Ogbewe, Hon. (High Chief) Benedicta Attoh, Hon. (Engr.) Edosa Enowoghomwenma, Hon. Dickson Ahonsi, Hon. Adodo Kenneth Osarobo and Hon. Solomon Obomighie.

The enrolled order SaharaReporters obtained on Wednesday, partly reads: “Coming up for hearing and determination before His Lordship, Honourable Justice Igho Braimoh, Judge sitting as Vacation Court in the Benin Judicial Division, Holden at Benin City, on Thursday the 12th day of September, 2024. Parties are absent.

 

“J.I. Odibeli Applicant, E. Aghomon Esq. is with me. The Court having heard J.I. Odibeli for the Applicant; ordered as follows:

 

“I hereby make an order of Interim injunction, restraining the 1st to 3rd Respondents, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police Edo State, C.S.P. Ibrahim Angbasah, and Mr. Jarrett Tenebe (APC Chairman Edo State), either by themselves, their servants, privies, or agents, from harassing, intimidating, arresting/detaining the Applicants, pending the hearing of the substantive Application for the enforcement of their Fundamental Rights.

 

“This order will abate after 14 days.

 

“Adjourned to 26/09/2024 for the substantive application. This order be served on all the Respondents.”

 

But on Sunday, the state government said despite all the appeals made to the police to end the indiscriminate arrest of PDP chieftains, the party alleged that some policemen from outside Edo State had been deployed to arrest PDP chieftains perceived to be politically strong in their areas to pave the way for rigging.

 

The state government called on President Bola Tinubu to order the security agencies, especially the police, to stop the harassment.

 

Addressing journalists in a press briefing on Sunday, the Edo Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, and the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Project, Crusoe Osagie, revealed shocking allegations against the APC.

 

According to them, APC agents are mass-producing masks and police uniforms to disguise thugs, planning to disrupt voting processes in areas where they’re unlikely to win. They added that an APC chieftain was spotted wearing one of these uniforms, and surprisingly, the police defended this blatant impersonation.

 

The officials also said they had uncovered other suspicious activities, including thug recruitment. According to them, a federal lawmaker from Ovia Constituency allegedly hired 200 militants to disrupt election materials and officials in riverine areas.

 

They also claimed that there were plans to redeploy Governor Godwin Obaseki’s security detail, leaving him vulnerable and that APC thugs were gathering in Egor Local Government Area, aiming to disrupt voting processes.

 

These allegations have prompted calls for President Bola Tinubu to intervene, ensuring a free and fair election. The international community, including the US, UK, and EU, is also being urged to monitor the situation closely.

 

They said, “We called this press conference today to draw the attention of our country’s leadership, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and diplomatic corps to the findings of our intelligence, which we uncovered ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

 

“The following are some of the information we are bringing to the notice of the general public and calling for immediate action:

 

“One, despite all the appeals made to the police to end the indiscriminate arrest of chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), they have yet deployed some other squad of policemen from outside Edo State to begin massive arrest of PDP chieftains perceived to be politically strong in their various constituencies to pave the way for the manipulation of elections in those areas. This intimidation tactic is irresponsible and reprehensible.

 

“Two, our intelligence has also uncovered massive production of masks and police uniforms by agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to veil their thugs, who they plan to deploy to disrupt voting processes in units and wards where they know they do not stand a chance of victory. Only recently, a chieftain of the APC wore one of those uniforms, and the police even presented a defence for such a wanton display of impersonation.

 

“Three, we also uncovered plans by the House of Representative member representing Ovia Constituency who has engaged about 200 militants for disrupting election materials and electoral officials in the riverine axis of the state beginning from Ologbo, Nikorogha, all the way to Siluko.

 

“We also understand that these militants have already been ferried into the state and lodged in various hotels. We are giving this information to security agencies to act swiftly to arrest or dislodge these thugs and plans.

 

“Four, we have also uncovered plans to redeploy all the security officials attached to the Edo State Governor, His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki, to leave him without protection and render him vulnerable as we head into the election and on election day.”