By: Felix Ikpotor
Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Kenneth Kobani has been dragged before a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt by the police for electoral violence allegedly committed during the March 19 legislative rerun elections in the state.
Also sued is a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ikwerre constituency, Azubuike Wanjoku.
The duo is standing trial before Justice Mohammad Lima for various offences committed during the rerun elections.
The case was instituted against them by the Department of State Service (DSS).
It would be recalled that Kobani was arrested and detained by security operatives in Gokana Local Government Area of the state on the day of the rerun for alleged attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
Wanjoku was also alleged to have threatened the EO in charge of Ikwerre to refund money allegedly given to him to deliver him in the elections.
They were both granted bail matter adjourned to June 5, 2016 for further hearing.
Similarly, Farah Dagogo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and alleged winner of the March 19 rerun election for Degema State Constituency has dragged the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Aniedi Ikiowak before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for his refusal to issue him Certificate of Return after he was said to have been declared winner of the election.
Aniedi Ikiowak we learnt said he was still studying the declaration of Farah Dagogo while the later is challenging Aniedi’s decision, adding that only the tribunal or a competent court of jurisdiction can revert the decision.
However, the case could not properly take off yesterday after the candidate of the APC Eldred Braide applied to be joined as a party in the suit.
Justice Mohammad Lima after listening to the submission by counsel to Eldred Braide, Barr. Chimenim Jerome adjourned the case to April 28 for hearing.
Meanwhile, we gathered that officials of the DSS has picked up the former Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree also for offences related to the March 19 rerun elections in the state.
Media aide to the former council boss Prince Asi Dateme confirmed the development to newsmen yesterday.
