Tracereporters –A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun from arresting Chief Francis Inegbeniki, a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party PDP.
The Presiding Judge, His Lordship, Honourable Justice Phoebe M. Ayua, on Wednesday 11th , 2024, at the resumed hearing of the case filed by Chief Francis Inegbineki for the enforcement of his fundamental rights, reaffirmed that the initial order of the Court that the status quo be maintained among the parties still subsists and should be maintained and obeyed by all parties in the suit.
Chief Francis Inegbeniki ( Applicant) in a suit no: FHC/B/MISC/75/2024, had dragged the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Mr. Jerret Tenebe, Chairman of APC Edo State, Godswill Inegbeniki and Kelly Okungbowa ( Respondents).
Justice Phoebe M. Ayua said, “The order of the Court that the status quo be maintained among other parties still subsists and should be maintained and obeyed by all parties in the suit. I so ordered”
Paul Omoijiade Esq, counsel to the applicant, Chief Francis Inegbeniki had earlier seek a declaration that the harassment and tracking of the telephone lines of the Applicant by the 1st to 2nd Respondent and/or their officers or subordinates within and outside Edo State on the instigation of the 3rd to 5th Respondent is illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and constitute a gross violation of the Applicant’s (Francis Inegbeniki) fundamental rights as guaranteed by section 34, 35, and 36 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Consequently, His lordship Justice Phoebe M. Ayua, has adjoined the matter to the 24th of September, 2024.
Paul Omoijiade Esq, had claimed and told the Court that on 28th August, 2024, agents of Nigerian Police invaded the private residence of Chief Francis Inegbeniki in GRA, Benin City, broke down the doors and ransacked the rooms.
Meanwhile, the clampdown on the Peoples Democratic Party stalwarts in Edo State by the Nigeria Police Force on the instigation of APC leadership has continued few days to the governorship election slated for September 21st.
At the time of filling this report, more than 10 PDP members across 18 the local government areas of the state have been arrested and detained in prison custody unlawfully.
