Reps to probe invasion of Rivers high court

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday condemned the invasion of Rivers state High court complex and subsequently set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the incidence.

The House resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Honourable Betty Apiafi entitled “assault on the Rivers state Judiciary by hoodlums aided by men of the Federal Special Anti-robbery squad FSARS”

While moving the motion, Honourable Apiafi said that on May 11 “organized hoodlums aided by over 40 operatives of the Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad FSARS under the command of Akin Fakorede Commander, FSARS, Rivers state blocked all the entrances of the Rivers state High court complex for hours preventing judicial workers, judges, litigants and lawyers from gaining access to their office and courtrooms to carry out their judicial duties and businesses”.

According to her, ” while the siege lasted, the organised hoodlums aided by the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad freely harassed innocent persons including lawyers, judges and other judiciary staff”, stressing that, public properties were also vandalised.

The lawmaker noted that the incident was purportedly a fall out of the APC Local Government Congress where an aggrieved faction had gone to court to seek redress, while other factions with the backing of the security men were out to prevent the court from sitting.

To this end, the lawmaker said that “such brazen and sponsored invasion of an arm of government amounts to an assault and contempt of the judiciary and a show of violence as well as an infringement of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”

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Honourable Apiafi, however, maintained that “security agencies especially the Nigeria Police Force is failing in its responsibility to protect democratic institutions” adding that the invasion of institutions of government is now becoming a norm and no doubt ridicules our democracy before the international community”.

Most of the lawmakers in their contributions condemned the invasion of the High court complex in the state and consequently, urged security agencies in the country to be up and doing in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

The motion scaled through when the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Lasun Yusuf who presided over the plenary session put the motion to the voice vote.