Drama in Edo as 68 Obaseki associates secure court injunction against police arrest

No fewer than 68 political associates of former Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki have been granted a restraining order by the State High Court, shielding them from arrest by the Nigerian Police.

The order is linked to a petition filed in July 2024 by the Acting State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group includes political appointees, local government chairmen, aides, and other associates of the former governor.

They approached the court through their counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), seeking protection against what they described as unlawful arrests and detentions.

The lawsuit, marked B/266M/2024, names the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, the Deputy Inspector of Police (Force CID Abuja), and the Police Service Commission (PSC) as respondents.

Justice A. T. Momodu issued the interim injunction, barring the respondents and their agents from arresting, detaining, or inviting the applicants for questioning regarding the APC chairman’s petition.

In the ruling, Justice Momodu stated: “An order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the respondents either by themselves, police officers in their department, and/or any police officer acting under their instruction from inviting, arresting, and detaining the applicants in any of the respondents’ offices in respect of the petition written by the chairman of All Progressives Congress (Edo State) dated 18/07/2024, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion filed by the applicants in the enforcement of their fundamental human rights.”

The court also directed that the enrolled order be served along with the originating motion on the respondents.

The petition filed by the APC chairman accused the political associates of Obaseki of various alleged infractions.

However, the applicants argue that the petition is politically motivated and infringes on their fundamental rights.