Crisis in Rivers PDP:12 Odili's men docked

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The crisis in Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) assumed a new dimension on Tuesday as 12 members of one of the factions were dragged to court for unlawful assembly. All the accused persons including a former deputy state chairman of the party, two former commissioners and two former local government chairmen were known to be loyal to the camp of former governors Peter Odili and Celestine Omehia otherwise known as the ‘Abuja Group.’

Others are Lolo Ibieneye who served as Water Resources commissioner; Prince Ohochukwu, a former deputy chairman of the state PDP; Sokuru Jaja, Dominic Saatah, Agiobu Fubara, Achinike Wonodi, Francis Ebebezer and Nwuke Anucha, a former two-time chairman of Omuma Local Government Council in the state.
Others include Chidi Nwankwo Nancy, a former commissioner; Ejor Ngowah Ejor, a two-term former chairman of Omuma Local Government Council; Grant Orugbani and Lali Green.

They are facing charges of unlawful assembly and provoking breach of peace via alleged offensive publication, setting up of a parallel PDP Secretariat and public display of posters with the inscription. The Peoples Democratic Party, state Secretariat, N0. 25 Oheato Street, D/Line, Port Harcourt.

The case of the twelve PDP chieftains who were rounded up on Monday from the alleged meeting place was, however, heard in chambers by the trial Chief Magistrate, Israel Agbesor.
At the end of the closed-door hearing, each of the accused persons was granted bail for N500,000 and one surety who must be on Grade Level 15 in the Rivers State Civil Service and with verifiable address.

The trial chief magistrate later adjourned hearing in the matter till August 18, this year.
Before their appearance in court, the state government in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Magnus Abe, had alleged that, “some hired thugs and cultists had gathered in a house somewhere in Port Harcourt” during which security agents swooped on them.
The statement entitled: Reaction to Arrests in Rivers State, reads thus:

Information received by the security agencies in Rivers State indicate that today, Monday, August 9, 2010, some hired thugs and cultists had gathered in a house somewhere in Port Harcourt and were conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace.
“The security agencies, on receiving the report acted swiftly to contain the situation, whereupon their political paymasters emerged.
“It is clear, therefore, that the actions of these persons were sponsored by the so-called ‘Abuja Group,’ with a clear intention of trying to use violence to create some disturbances in the state capital to attract attention.

“Hoisting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag, over that kind of activity cannot give it any kind of legitimacy. Clearly, the security agencies cannot fold their arms to allow developments capable of causing the breach of the peace.”
“The Rivers State Government has gone over and beyond the call of duty to make the state safe for diverse opinions to thrive.
“Meetings of our political opponents are held daily in the state and we encourage them and protect them because we did not only believe in democracy and the rule of law but we strongly believe and practice it.
“However, the laws of the land should be respected by all. The police will investigate the incidence and the law will take its course, regardless of whose ox is gored.”