A High Court in Edo State has granted an interim injunction to 68 political associates of former governor Godwin Obaseki, restraining the Nigerian Police from arresting them over a petition submitted by the Acting State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July 2024. The associates include political appointees, local government area chairmen, aides and others.
In the suit marked B/266M/2024, brought before the Edo State High Court, the applicants through their counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), sought an interim injunction against their arrest. The respondents in the case are the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Commissioner of Police Edo State, Deputy Inspector Police (Force CID Abuja), and the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Justice A. T. Momodu, in granting the request, ruled that “An order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the respondents either by themselves, police officers in their department and/or any police officer acting under their instruction from inviting, arresting and detaining the applicants in any of respondents office, in respect of the petition written by the chairman of All Progressives Congress (Edo State) dated 18/07/2024 to the first respondent pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion filed by the applicants in the enforcement of their fundamental human right.”
The court further ordered that the enrolled order be served along with the originating motion on the respondents. The injunction protects the 68 associates from arrest pending the determination of the substantive case filed to enforce their fundamental human rights.
The case highlights ongoing political tensions in Edo State between former Governor Obaseki’s supporters and the current APC leadership. Further details on the specific allegations in the APC chairman’s petition were not provided. The court’s decision provides temporary relief for Obaseki’s associates as the full case progresses through the legal system.