The Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown out an appeal to dismiss terrorism charges against 5 loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon declined the request made by the current Chief of Staff to the governor, Edison Ehie, to terminate the charges
A few days ago, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the arrest of Edison Ehie, in connection with the burning of the state House of Assembly.
The court ruled that Ehie, who also served as the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, did not possess the legal authority to seek the dismissal of the charges.
Olajuwon upheld the argument presented by the counsel to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Simon Lough, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, asserting that Ehie was not yet competent to make any application until he appeared in court to enter his plea in the terrorism charges.
Ehie, represented by his lawyer, Oluwole Aladedoye SAN, had sought to have the criminal charges against him and others dropped on various grounds.
He contended that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked jurisdiction to oversee the trial as the alleged offenses were committed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Additionally, he asserted that the police had not formally charged him for any offense.
However, the request was strongly opposed on the basis that Ehie had not appeared before the court to enter his plea.
The lawyer to the police referenced Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act ACJA 2015.
In a concise ruling, Olajuwon rejected the former Speaker’s request and supported the arguments presented by the IGP.
The Judge noted that the charge sheet only indicated that Ehie is at large and has not been listed on the charge as required by law.
He advised the Chief of Staff to surrender himself to the police or appear in court to enter a plea before he could be eligible to make any application.