Chief James Onanefe Ibori’s counsel filed a suit Wednesday 28th April 2010 seeking to restrain the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector General of Police and the Director, State Security Service (SSS), from arresting him.

The suit number FHC/ASB/CS/34/2010 titled “The Matter of an Application by Chief James Onanefe Ibori for the Enforcement of hisFundamental Rights to Fair Hearing and Personal Liberty under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009”, was filed at theFederal High Court Asaba, immediately after Justice I. N. Buba adjourned proceedings on the substantive issue till 10th May 2010.

According to a press statement signed by Ibori’s Media Assistant, Mr.Tony Eluemunor, the motion ws filed by Ibori’s Counsel Mr. J. B. Daudu, SAN, specifically asking for “An Order Injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Respondents by themselves or through their officers, agents, privies and assigns from arresting, harassing and/or intimidate the Applicant in any manner whatsoever and howsoever pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s substantive Motion on Notice which has been adjourned for hearing to the 10th of May, 2010 and for such further orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances”.

The affidavit in support of the motion signed by Chief Azikiwe Ako (JP) said that he was in court on the 19th of April 2010 when EFCC’s counsel Mr. Chile Okoronma, on EFCC’s behalf “specifically stated in court that since the service of the court processes, they have not done anything and will not do anything that will make the determination of this matter a fiat accompli” because of which the Judge saw no reason to make a preservative order. The affidavit continued that “contrary to Okoronma’s undertaking in open court, on Tuesday 20th April 2010, the respondents arrived Oghara to affect Ibori’s arrest.

The affidavit continued: “That unless restrained by this Honourable Court, it is now apparent that there is a real and strong likelihood that the Applicant’s fundamental rights will be infringed upon by the Respondent before hearing of the substantive Motion on Notice adjourned to the 10th of May, 2010 and that the Applicant will suffer great, untold and exceptional hardship”.

The press statement said the latest motion was filed immediately after the Court rose on Wednesday saying it could not grant a restraining order beyond the ruling of Monday 19th April 2010, because Ibori’s counsel made that request orally instead of filing it as a written motion.

Meanwhile, Ibori has expressed his gratitude and appreciation to his teaming supporters across the country that have rallied to his defence since this round of political persecution and not legal prosecution against him began. He challenged them to always maintain the peace because he is not only a lover of peace, but he has implicit faith in Nigeria’s legal system.

http://www.thetimesofnigeria.com/Article.aspx?id=2578