Pere of Seimbiri kingdom in Burutu local government area of the state, King (Dr) Charles Ayemi-Botu, aka Lion of the Niger, has approached the High Court of Justice, Warri Judicial Division for an exparte motion restraining the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Wale Abbas and two others from further invitation, harassment and intimidation.
The other respondents as contained in the said enrollment of order by the celebrated Ijaw Monarch, are the Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of Criminal Investigation Department, Asaba, DCP Umaru Abba Mohammed and the Inspector General of Police, IGP.
King Ayemi-Botu in the said application dated and filled on 4th of August 2023, for the enforcement of his fundamental rights, sought the leave of the Court for the motion to be heard during the vacation period as a result of the urgency.
He also sought for an interim order of injunction restraining the respondents, their servants, agents, workers or privies from implementing and executing the contents of the Police invitation letter dated 15th June 2023, threatening in the name of investigation, interview, discussion or interface, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for enforcement of his fundamental human right.
King Ayemi-Botu also asked that an order be granted that the exparte motion shall operate as stay of further harassment, intimidation, or invitation by the Police on any matter that touches him, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for enforcement of his fundamental human right.
The fourth prayer was an order of the Court to grant leave to serve the motion on notice and all subsequent processes to be filed in the suit meant for the respondents at the Nigeria Police State Headquarters in Asaba, Delta State, and for such further orders as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
At the first hearing and determination of the motions before Justice E.I. Oritsejafor, sitting as Vacation Judge, Delta South Senatorial District last Tuesday 8th August 2023, the Court after the presentations from Counsel to the applicant, Chief V.E. Otomiewo, granted that the motion exparte and indeed the motion on notice be heard during the Vacation period.
It also ordered that the motion on notice and all subsequent processes in the proceedings be served on the 3rd respondent by delivery of same on any Officer of the IGP at the Force headquarters in Abuja.
In relation to the 2nd and 3rd prayers contained in the motion exparte, the Court ordered that they be taken with the motion on notice filed together with the motion exparte, which hearing has been adjourned to Wednesday 23rd of August 2023.
The Affidavit of Service with Suit number W/214/FAR/2023, obtained by our correspondent shown the ruling of the Court was delivered to the office of 1st and 2nd respondents at the Delta State Police Command headquarters in Asaba on Friday, 11th August 2023.