The Edo State High Court has issued a restraining order preventing the Nigerian Police from arresting 68 political allies of former Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki.
This ruling follows a petition filed in July 2024 by the Acting State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which targeted a group that includes former political appointees, local government leaders, aides, and other associates of Obaseki.
Represented by their attorney, Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), the group sought court protection from what they claim are unlawful arrests and detentions linked to the APC chairman’s allegations.
The case, identified as B/266M/2024, lists as respondents the Inspector General of Police, the Edo State Police Commissioner, the Deputy Inspector of Police (Force CID Abuja), and the Police Service Commission.
Justice A. T. Momodu granted an interim injunction, prohibiting the police and its agents from detaining, arresting, or summoning the applicants in connection to the APC’s petition until a further court ruling. The court directed that the order and motion be served to the respondents.
Justice Momodu’s statement read: “An order of interim injunction is hereby issued, restraining the respondents or any police officer under their instruction from inviting, arresting, or detaining the applicants about the APC’s petition dated 18/07/2024, pending the full hearing of the applicants’ motion to protect their fundamental rights.”
The petition from the APC chairman accuses Obaseki’s associates of several alleged offences, though the applicants argue that the claims are politically motivated and violate their rights.