Court Rejects Dismissal of Terrorism Charges Against Fubara CoS Edison Ehie

Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon at the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the motion to dismiss terrorism charges against five loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State

The judge, on Friday, refused to dismiss the charges, as requested by Hon Edison Ehie, the current Chief of Staff to the governor.
The court stated that Ehie, who served as the factional Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, lacked the legal authority to seek the dismissal of the charges.

Olajuwon supported the argument presented by Inspector General of Police (IGP) counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Simon Lough.

They contended that Ehie lacked competence to make any application until he appeared in court to enter his plea regarding the terrorism charges.

Through his lawyer, Oluwole Aladedoye SAN, Ehie had requested the dismissal of the criminal charges against him and others based on various grounds

He argued that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked jurisdiction to handle the trial since the alleged offenses took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He also insisted that he had not been indicted by the police for any offense

However, the request faced strong opposition on the basis that Ehie had not appeared in court to enter his plea
The police lawyer cited Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act ACJA 2015.

In a brief ruling, Olajuwon dismissed the request from the former Speaker and upheld the arguments of the IGP.

The Judge noted that the charge sheet only indicated Ehie is at large and not yet listed on the charge, as required by law

He counseled the Chief of Staff to either surrender himself to the police or appear in court to enter a plea before being eligible to make any application.

The five defendants listed on the charge sheet are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald, and Ochueja Thankgod

In the 7-count charges, the defendants were accused of committing alleged terrorism offenses by invading, vandalizing, and burning down the Rivers State House of Assembly in the wake of the political crisis that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year.

Kanyi Daily recalls that Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC,alleges that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had shown disrespect to President Bola Tinubu, particularly in light of his ongoing dispute with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.