A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained security agencies and Rivers State Government from arresting supporters of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Justice A. T. Ibrahim issued the order against the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), following a motion ex parte filed by some members of the PDP in the state.
Justice Ibrahim ordered the Rivers State Government and other respondents to maintain status quo until the determination of the suit.
The appellants are former National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, Sen. Lee Maeba, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Sen. Geroge Sekibo, Sir Celestine Omehia, Austin Opara, among others.
The appellants accused the Rivers State Government of harassing and intimidating their supporters.
The Atiku Support Organisation had alleged that 30 of its members were arrested in GRA, Port Harcourt during a meeting to prepare for the proposed campaign visit of Atiku
A few days later, the Police, through its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said operatives raided criminals’ hideout and arrested 32 suspected cultists at two locations.
About 20 of the suspects were arraigned at a magistrates’ court in Port Harcourt, presided over by Chief Magistrate Collins Ali.
The court directed that the suspects be remanded at the correctional centre and adjourned the case till March 22 for bail consideration.p