Emerging report indicates that the Rivers State High Court, has stopped the arrest of Joi Nunieh, the immediate past Managing Director, MD, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Justice Elsie Thompson gave the order on Friday, in Port Harcourt, following an application filed by the former NDDC MD against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, and four others.
Others listed as Respondents in the suit, include the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, the State Security Service, SSS, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, and the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.
In the suit marked PHC/1128/2020, Nunieh’s Counsel, Slyvester Adaka, had sought an exparte order of the court, restraining the arrest of the Applicant, pending the determination of the suit.
After hearing the submissions of the Applicant’s Counsel, and no appearance for the Respondents, Justice Thompson ordered the Respondents from the IGP, Police, and the DSS, from “arresting, detaining, and harassing” Nunieh.
He also stopped the Niger Delta Affairs Minister and Police Commissioner in Rivers State, from using any of the third to fifth Respondents to arrest, detain, harass, and intimidate“ the former NDDC Head, pending the determination of the motion on notice.
The Judge ordered that the DSS, IGP, and Nigeria Police, should without delay, unconditionally withdraw Security Operatives from Nunieh’s home.
He, therefore, granted leave for the Applicant to serve Senator Akpabio through the Head Office of the NDDC, located along the Aba Road, in Port Harcourt.
Justice Thompson also ordered that the IGP and Nigeria Police be served through the Office the DSS, in the State capital.
He further adjourned the case until July 27, for hearing on the substantive matter.
More later…