5 Arraigned Over Fire Incident At Rivers Assembly

Five individuals suspected of burning the Rivers House of Assembly on Oct. 29, 2023, were arraigned on Thursday at a Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

They face a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism.

The arraignment, presided over by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon, was conducted by the police under the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Inspector-General (I-G) is the complainant in the case, with the defendants being Chime Ezebalike, 37; Prince Oladele, 47; Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, 40; Osiga Donald, 42; and Ochueja Thankgod, 35.

The police alleged that the defendants, in collaboration with Hon. Edison Ehie, the former factional speaker of the assembly loyal to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, and others still at large, committed the offense.

NAN reports that Ehie, representing Ahoada East Constituency, resigned in December from both his position as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly and as the speaker of the minority lawmakers.

The resignation was part of the reconciliation efforts between Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the FCT Minister.