122 suspects arrested for attacking Rivers Speaker’s residence — Police
The Rivers Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Chijioke Ihunwo, his legal Adviser, Chigozie Emem, and 120 other youths were arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt on Wednesday over alleged attack on the residence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
Police docked the 122 youths on five-count charges bordering on conspiracy, rioting, unlawful Assembly and causing breach of public peace.
The youths were arrested at the residence of Martin Amaewhule, the factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Nyesom Wike on Tuesday evening.
Led by Ihunwo, the youths had asked the Speaker to vacate his official residence as he was no longer recognized as Speaker with the emergence of Edison Ehie who is loyal to Governor Fubara.
Before his arrest Ihunwo, had vowed that the youths of Rivers State would not allow the lawmakers in the camp of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja to impeach Governor Fubara.
He said this was because Fubara has plans and policies that will benefit the youths of the State.
However, a large number of youths were arrested and kept in the custody of the Old GRA Police Division. It was also alleged that about three persons were shot during the protest before they were arraigned in court on Wednesday morning.
At the time of filing this report, the suspects were still taking their pleas in Court.
However, earlier, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the Command in a press statement confirmed the arrest of the youths led by Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo last Tuesday.
The Police spokesperson said the youths with intent to commit a felony, went to the official residence of Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, located at Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt.
Police said the youths forcefully gained entrance into the Speaker’s Residence and maliciously damaged the gate of the house.
“While they were carrying out their nefarious activities at the scene, a distress call was received by the Control Room of the Command, tactical teams were immediately deployed to the scene, where one hundred and twenty-two (122) suspects, including the said Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo was arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt, for a discrete investigation.”
Meanwhile, the command said it has placed adequate security at the State House of Assembly Complex, including the Speaker’s House and other strategic locations/infrastructure in the state to forestall any ugly incident.
