The Nigeria Police Says its actions in the just concluded Rivers State Local Government election is in line with an existing court judgment of the Federal High Court.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force says it is responding to misinformation circulating in the media space with regards to its participation in the Rivers State political arena.
The statement explains that, the Nigeria Police Force was first served with an order of injunction by the Federal High Court made on the 19th of July, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the LG election, deeming it unlawful.
Secondly, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter order on the 4th of September, 2024, directing the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies to provide security at the LG elections.
The Police stressed that the NPF was not joined as a party in the suit.
It also noted that Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgement on 30th September, 2024, nullifying all previous activities so far carried in respect of the LG election and ordered the Police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election.
All these orders and counter orders were served on the Police.
The IGP, being a thoroughbred, committed to operating within the legal framework, forwarded the three court orders to the Force Legal section for advice.
It also expressed concern that the misinformation, triggered by the unwarranted outburst of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, based on no material fact was totally uncalled for, and unfair to the Law Enforcement Institutions in Nigeria, most especially his verbal attack on the person and office of the Inspector-General of Police.
Sunday’s unsealing of the local government secretariats came after the police received the report that elected chairmen have been sworn in by the state government.
The decision to unseal the Local Government Secretariats was informed by the need to maintain neutrality in the political development in the state and allowing smooth functioning of democratic institutions in the state.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
