Justice A.T. Ibrahim gave the order against the police and Department of State Services, following an ex parte motion filed by some members of the PDP in the state.
Appellants in the suit are former National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, Senator Lee Maeba, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Senator George Sekibo, Sir Celestine Omehia, Austin Opara, among others.
The state government, in the suit, is accused of harassing and intimidating members loyal to the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Justice Ibrahim ordered the state government and other respondents to maintain status quo until the determination of the suit.
The Guardian recalls that Atiku Support Organisation had, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Victor Moses, alleged that 30 of its members were arrested in Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Port Council of the state on February 5, while in a meeting ahead of the party’s Presidential campaign in Rivers state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, while confirming the arrest, said the police only raided a black spot, arrested 32 suspected cultists in two different locations in the state.
The police spokesperson added that the arrest was not related to any political meeting but explained that those arrested were being profiled and persons found to be clean will be released while those found guilty would be charged to court.
However, two days later, on Tuesday, February 7, about 20 persons of those arrested were arraigned before a magistrate’s court in Port Harcourt presided over by Chief Collins Ali.
Ali directed that the suspects be remanded in a Correctional Centre and adjourned the proceedings to March 22 for bail consideration.
