Justice H .A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt had on Monday asked the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, to withdraw its men from the premises of Obio/Akpor local government council secretariat, which they sealed off since May 3.
This is just as youth, in their hundreds, on Monday, stormed the secretariat, demanding the reinstatement of the suspended council chairman, Timothy Nsirim; his Deputy and the 17 councillors for peace to reign.
The judge gave the verdict in Port Harcourt yesterday when he ruled on the case, which was brought to him by the new council Chairman, Hon. Chikodi Dike.
The council boss is seeking a continuous injunction, restraining the police from further barricade of the council premises.
He ordered that the police should vacate the premises which it barricaded since May 3 and provide only “minimal security” in the council.
The judge who described the barricade as “using a sledge hammer to kill a fly” also, noted that the order to disperse the police from the council headquarters would enable the caretaker committee (Plaintif) to do its job and pay the salaries of workers of Obio/ Akpo council.
Earlier, counsel to the Police, Donald Dee Nwigwe, had argued that the Federal High Court had no jurisdiction in hearing the case, claiming that the police moved into the council to maintain law and order, following a report of planned security breach in the area.
But this was over ruled by Nganjiwa who noted that the court had jurisdiction to decide on the issue.
The supporters of the caretaker committee chairman welcomed the ruling with a loud cheer.
Dike who expressed satisfaction over the ruling noted that the judgment will give them the opportunity to sign vouchers and pay the grumbling workers of Obio/ Akpo council.
Also speaking, the counsel to the caretaker committee, Mr. Emenike Ebeta, hailed the Judiciary who stood up for the rights of the common people and workers of Obio/ Akpor council.
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