…Court stops conduct of LG Congress in the state until June 26 hearing of suit
By Ayo Kehinde
Governor Wike
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in the crisis and thuggery ripping through the All Progressives Congress, APC , in the state following the attack on the High Court in Port Harcourt on Friday by thugs alleged to be supporters of faction of the party in the state.
In an broadcast to the state, he blamed the police and the thugs for the attack on judicial officers and called on the Federal Government to restrain the party officials in the state.
“The hoodlums destroyed public property, assaulted judicial officers following the highly disputed ward congress in the state. The role of the police is to protect the citizens, in this case judicial officials. A breach of this responsibility is an offence, when police allow thugs to overwhelm judicial officials. It is also an attempt by the APC to undermine state institutions and implement a template to rig elections in 2019 in the state”.
He called of the Federal Government to investigate the attack and bring the culprits to justice. Expressing his appreciation to the youths who intervened to restore sanity in the court premises, he urged the “ people to remain vigilant to safeguard our democratic institutions”.
Trouble started in the day when Justice Chinwedu Nwaogu was set to hear the motion on notice filed by Senator Magnus Abe, APC, representing Rivers Southeast, to stop the local government congress of the party from holding on Saturday, May 12, following a controversial ward congress held on May 5 in the state. The thugs invaded the premises, locked up all entrances to the court to stop the court from seating, smashed windows and cars.
The police had to shoot in the air to disperse the hoodlums before court workers could gain access into the premises and destroyed the padlocks.
In his ruling, Justice Nwaogu adjourned the case to June 26 for hearing.
Deputy Superintendent of Police and spokesperson of the Command in Rivers State, Mr Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident and said the police was conducting an investigation.
