The High Court in Abuja has restrained the police from inviting and arresting Ideato Federal Constituency House of Representatives member‑elect Ikenga Ugochinyere, former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, and former Deputy Governor Gerald Irona. Justice A.S. Adepoju set aside the police invitation letter dated 13 March 2023 that was sent to the three individuals.
The ruling arose from a suit filed by Ugochinyere against seven respondents, including the Imo State governor, the State Security Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the Ebubeagu Security Network, and the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Federal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau. The court ordered that the letter titled “INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES – RE: CASE OF MURDER(SIC), KIDNAPPING AND ARSON” be nullified pending a hearing on the substantive suit.
Furthermore, the court restrained the respondents—whether acting personally, through agents, officers, staff, or any other representatives—from giving effect to, carrying out, or proceeding with any arrest, invitation, or related action based on the March 13 letter while the case is pending.
Earlier, the police had addressed a letter to Imo State Peoples Democratic Party chairman Charles Ugwu, inviting the applicants and others in connection with an investigation into alleged murder, kidnapping, and arson. By the court’s order, the Imo State police command—accused by the member‑elect of complicity in multiple attacks on his person and home and of failing to investigate—has been barred from proceeding with the proposed arrest of Ugochinyere. The matter was adjourned for a hearing on 4 April 2023.
Comments are closed for this story.