Justice E. N. Thompson of the Rivers State High Court on Friday issued an order restraining the police and the Department of State Services from arresting or detaining the embattled former acting managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ms Joy Nunieh.
The judge gave the order in Suit No: PHC/1128 FHR/2020, between the applicant, Nunieh and the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Goodwill Akpabio, the commissioner of police, Rivers State, Department of state services, the inspector general of police; and the Nigeria Police Force (1st -5th respondents respectively).
Nunieh has been in the eye of the storm in the on-going probe of the NDDC by the national assembly following her altercation with Akpabio, over corruption allegations in the commission.
Armed policemen invaded and barricaded her Port Harcourt residence in the early hours of Thursday. She was however rescued by the governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who stormed her residence in the company of Government House security personnel.
The state commissioner of police, Joseph Munkan, also Friday requested Wike to release Nunieh to the police so that she can answer questions with regard to a petition against her.
Issuing the order Justice Thompson said: “The 3rd -5th respondents are hereby restrained from arresting, detaining and harassing the applicant pending the determination of the motion on notice.
“That the 1st and 2nd respondents are restrained from using the 3rd – 5th respondents to arrest, harass and intimidate the applicant pending the determination of the motion on notice.
“That the 3rd – 5th respondents should without delay unconditionally withdraw the men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force from the premises of the applicant pending the determination of the motion on notice,” he said.
The judge adjourned the matter till July 27 for hearing.
