Court stops panel on political killings in Rivers

A Federal High court in Port Harcourt on Thursday granted an interim injunction restraining the commission of inquiry on political killings from operating in the state.

The commission, which was set up by the state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, on April 16, 2015, was expected to begin sitting on Monday, May 4, 2015, having received memoranda from members of the public.

But the Peoples Democratic Party in the state had, a suit no. FHC/PH/FHR/256/2015, moved against the setting up of the commission.

The presiding judge of the court, Justice H.A. Nganjiwa, gave an order restraining the respondents from taking further action in connection with the sitting of the panel pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction that was filed by the 10th respondent (Amaechi) pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

Nganjiwa stated that in view of the urgency attached to the matter, the court had abridged the time for the respondents to file their response within three days upon service.

“An order restraining the respondents from taking further steps in connection with the sitting of the commission of inquiry instituted by the 10th respondent (Amaechi) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

“That in view of the urgency attached to this matter, time is of essence, the court has abridged the time for the respondents to file their response within three days upon service,” he said.