Court Restrains IGP, Ebonyi CP, DSS From Harassing Ex-Rep Member, Hon Okorie Over Facebook Post

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, granted an ex-parte motion restraining the Inspector General Of Police, Commissioner Of Police Ebonyi State, Department Of State Security Services, Attorney General Of The Federation, Ebonyi State Government from harassing, arresting and detaining Hon. Linus Okorie.

Other Defendants are: Cletus Ofoke, Esq, (Attorney General Of Ebonyi State), Uchenna Orji, Esq, (Commissioner For Information And State Orientation Ebonyi State), Stanley Okoro Emegha(Ebonyi State Security Consultant.

Justice I.E Ekwo, the trial judge, issued the restraining order after listening to arguments from Okorie’s counsel Nkemakolam Okoro, S.C Esq, arising from suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/108/2022.

Ebonyi State Government on 25th January, declared wanted Okorie, a former member of the House of Representatives.

The government accused him of posting inciting statements on his Facebook page, which heated up the polity, particularly in Ikwo Local Government. But the plaintiff in his Affidavit denied the allegations and stated that the state government and the State Security Council made a press release on 25th of January, and declared him wanted over an alleged, unknown and undisclosed Facebook “incisive” post, which he claimed he never made.

He also said that no form of invitation was extended to him by any security agency in Nigeria before he was declared wanted and therefore it is not within the powers of the 5th -9th Respondents to declare me wanted in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A certified copy of the order made available to The Lawyer and signed by the Court Register, Chioma Chijioke, warned the Defendants not to interfere with the freedom of the plaintiff pending the hearing and determination of the case.

“An interim order restraining the respondents whether by themselves, their agents, employees, or by whatever name called from either arresting, or detaining or threatening to arrest or detain the applicant pending the hearing and final determination of the Motion on Notice, for the enforcement of fundamental rights of the Applicant in this matter.”

Justice Ekwo, also granted a leave to serve the originating processes in this matter and all other subsequent processes  on the 5th -9th Defendant by substituted means.

He further, ordered the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and final determination of the Motion on Notice, for the enforcement of fundamental rights.

The matter was adjourned till 21st Febuary for Motion on Notice.