THE POLICE was ordered by a federal court in Rivers State capital of Port Harcourt on Monday to withdraw its
personnel from the Obio/Akpor Local Government Secretariat.
The order follows the sealing of the facility by local police authorities on May 3, after it claimed that intelligent reports indicated that local thugs had planned to burn the premises.
The police had on May 3, sealed the secretariat, located at Rumuodomaya, preventing members of the caretaker committee, staff and the public from gaining access into it.
Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph confirmed .the intelligent reports on the planned arson.
But Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa ruled on Monday that the police withdraw from the facility to enable members of the Council’s caretaker committee, staff and members of public to regain access to the facility and for services to resume.
Council authorities of Obio/Akpor Local Government Secretariat had gone to court to seek a court order compelling the police to vacate the premises.
The council’s lawyer, Mr. Emenike Ebete, told reporters that the ‘’ruling was well considered.
‘’I commend his lordship’s industry in delivering a well considered ruling; I think it means the end of injustice.
‘’Our prayer was that the police should be ordered to withdraw its officers and men from Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Secretariat to allow access to members of the caretaker committee, staff and the public to do their normal businesses with the council.’’
In his comments, Mr Chikodi Dike, Chairman of the Council’s Caretaker Committee, said ‘’the rule of law has taken its course.
‘’They have given us justice; we are happy, the people of Obio/Akpor are happy.
‘’ Justice has prevailed; this is the hope of the common man.
‘’Our people can be paid salaries; like you all know, we have not been able to pay April salaries and allowances because of the sealing of our council.’’