Abuja Division of the Federal High Court struck out an application filed by Edison Ehie, the chief of staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, seeking an order to strike out the charge against him and others for want of jurisdiction.
Justice Bolaji Olajuwon, in a ruling, held that Ehie, having not been joined as a defendant in the charge, lacked the legal right to make such a plea.
The judge also struck out Ehie’s prayer for an order, striking out his name anywhere it might appear in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024.
The judge agreed with the police lawyer, Simon Lough, that having not been joined as a defendant in the charge, Ehie’s application could not be heard.
Ehie, recently appointed chief of staff after he resigned as member and factional speaker of the assembly, was alleged to be among the suspects charged by the inspector general of police for committing the offence.
Five suspected arsonists of the Rivers assembly complex were, on January 25, arraigned before the judge on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism, among others.
Ehie, whose name was mentioned, was alleged to be at large with other suspects.
The five defendants arraigned were Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge and were ordered to remain in Kuje Prison custody until Friday, when the judge would determine their respective bail applications.
Upon resumed hearing Friday, Ehie’s lawyer, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that he had filed an application dated and filed on January 24, seeking two orders.
He said the parties had been served accordingly.
Aladedoye said the application was brought pursuant to Sections 6 and 36 of 1999 Constitution.
He argued that it was incorrect that Ehie, whose name featured in the counts preferred by the inspector general of the police, had no right to make this application.
“It would have been different if the name is not there at all,” he added.
The lawyer equally argued that in their affidavit, it was clearly stated that the police did not invite his client.