A High Court in Port Harcourt has granted an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies from inviting, arresting, or detaining Hon. Edison Ogerenye Ehie in connection with the alleged arson at the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The order, issued by Justice I. P. C. Igwe, came after a motion was brought before the court by Ehie, a former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Ehie, the claimant had approached the court seeking protection from what he described as harassment and intimidation by security agencies.

The suit, numbered PHC/1113/CS/2025, lists the Inspector-General of Police, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), and the State Director of SSS in Rivers State as defendants.

In its ruling, the court granted Ehie permission to serve court processes on the defendants outside Rivers State, particularly at their offices in Abuja.

Furthermore, the court ordered that these processes be delivered via Red Star Express Courier Service, with proof of delivery filed in court.

The court also issued an order of interim injunction restraining the police and DSS from summoning, arresting, or detaining Ehie in relation to the fire incident at the Rivers State House of Assembly on March 29, 2023.

The injunction further restrains security agencies from taking any actions against Ehie based on statements allegedly made by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of Rivers State, or any other individual.

Justice Igwe directed all parties to maintain the status quo as of March 30, 2025, pending the hearing of the motion for an interlocutory injunction.

The court also ordered the claimant to provide an undertaking of ₦2 million to indemnify the defendants if the motion is found to be frivolous.

The substantive motion for an interlocutory injunction has been adjourned for hearing on April 30, 2025.

The ruling comes amid heightened political tensions in Rivers State, with security agencies being accused of taking sides in the ongoing crisis.

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Group says Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State was erroneously implicated in security issues that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

The group, in a comprehensive report on the crisis in Rivers, also cleared Fubara of allegations linking him to militant groups responsible for pipeline vandalism and security breaches in the state.

The report, which was made available to journalists in a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, thoroughly debunked claims that Fubara has ties to militant factions, describing the allegations as “politically motivated fabrications” designed to destabilise his administration.

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Group’s investigation revealed no evidence of financial transactions or operational links between the state government and known militant factions.

According to the report, the allegations against Governor Fubara are part of a broader pattern of democratic subversion in Nigeria’s volatile political landscape.

The report points to the role of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in fueling tensions in Rivers State through his inflammatory remarks.

 The Coalition, in the report, recommends the immediate cessation of political hostilities, the withdrawal of security forces unlawfully deployed in Rivers State, and the initiation of independent investigations into allegations of militancy.

The report also notes that communities, where the alleged incidents were reported, have come forward to refute the claims, assuring the public that oil and gas facilities in their areas remain secure and operational.

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Group’s report concludes that the allegations against Governor Fubara appear to be politically motivated fabrications.

The report added: “It is abundantly clear to us, and to the world that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no verifiable links to militant groups operating within Rivers State, or the Niger Delta at large.

“We are convinced that the allegations against him appear to be politically motivated, fueled by power struggles and deep-seated rivalries rather than grounded in any factual basis.  This report has methodically dismantled the unfounded allegations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, exposing them as politically motivated fabrications.

“The real instigators of instability in Rivers State are those who prioritize personal vendettas over public welfare. It is, therefore, imperative for all stakeholders, both within Nigeria and in the international community, to recognize the dangerous implications of weaponizing baseless accusations for political expediency.

“The attempt to malign Governor Fubara’s character through such claims is not only an attack on his personal integrity but also an affront to the democratic values that Nigeria professes to uphold.

“Moreover, the reckless statements made by Minister Nyesom Wike, which have exacerbated tensions in the region, must be condemned unequivocally. Public officeholders bear an ethical and constitutional responsibility to foster national unity rather than stoke the flames of discord.

“The people of Rivers State deserve peace, stability, and development—not a manufactured crisis driven by political greed and ambition. As concerned citizens and defenders of democracy, we stand resolute in our support for truth and justice.

“Governor Fubara must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. His exoneration from these baseless allegations and false narratives is not just a defense of his personality, but a defense of democracy itself.

“Governor Fubara has consistently demonstrated his commitment to peace, security, and good governance. His call for the protection of vital oil installations and his transparent governance style stand in stark contrast to the baseless allegations that seek to tarnish his reputation.

“The security challenges in Rivers State are not of his making; rather, they are symptomatic of a broader historical struggle for equity and justice in the Niger Delta. The international community, civil society, and all lovers of democracy must stand strong behind Rivers State to save it from anarchy.”

The Centre for Energy Development and Economic Sustainability (CEDES) has strongly condemned the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over the recent Naira-for-Crude policy, warning that the move is a deliberate attempt to cripple local refineries and sustain Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, Dr. Umar Sani, Executive Director of CEDES, accused the NNPCL of working against national interest by prioritizing foreign exchange gains over the survival of local refiners.

He noted that the Naira-for-Crude arrangement had ensured steady crude supply to Nigerian refineries while helping the government save on foreign exchange and reinvest in critical infrastructure.

“It is outrageous that the NNPCL, instead of strengthening local refining, has decided to sabotage it by imposing a dollars-for-crude system. This policy is designed to choke local refineries, making it impossible for them to access crude oil at reasonable rates. The ultimate goal is to force Nigeria back into total reliance on fuel imports, which benefits only a corrupt few,” Sani said.

“Under the Naira-for-Crude system, the NNPCL could no longer make its usual bogus claims of petrol imports to justify billions of dollars in subsidies. The policy ensured transparency, saved the government huge amounts in foreign exchange, and allowed for reinvestment in developmental infrastructure. But with this new move, we are back to a system where crude oil is sold in dollars, fueling corruption and economic instability,” he added.

CEDES warned that the NNPCL’s latest move could lead to higher fuel prices, petrol scarcity, worsening inflation, and further hardship for Nigerians.

The centre called on the federal government to immediately reverse the policy and uphold the Naira-for-Crude system to support local refining and economic stability.

“We demand that the government reinstate the Naira-for-Crude policy and stop this reckless sabotage of local refineries. The NNPCL must not be allowed to undermine Nigeria’s energy security and economic sovereignty,” Sani stated.