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Tag: Lloyd

  • Coalition is proof Tinubu’s policies are working, says Lloyd

    Coalition is proof Tinubu’s policies are working, says Lloyd

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Chidi Lloyd, has described the ongoing coalition against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as evidence that the President’s policies are effective and disrupting the status quo.

    Lloyd, a former Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area in Rivers State, said the coalition’s formation only reinforces public belief in the Tinubu administration, as it is displacing entrenched political interests.

    He argued that many of the coalition’s members are individuals who previously held office but failed to make meaningful impact, now scrambling to stay relevant after being pushed out of their comfort zones by Tinubu’s reforms.

    Describing the coalition as “dead on arrival,” Lloyd said its promoters are not new faces but career politicians who have occupied power since 1999, and whom Nigerians now reject.

    He insisted that Nigerians are politically aware and will not be deceived into returning to a system that failed them. 

    He also criticised some members of the coalition, claiming they lack the moral authority to speak about building a better Nigeria.

    Lloyd said: “The coalition is dead on arrival. We didn’t see any foreigner. If the coalition were formed by citizens of America or Britain, we would have been worried. The coalition still had the same faces, the same old faces since 1999. 

    “I agree that what we have is a gathering of displaced politicians. We have a former vice-president; we have someone that was a Senate President for eight years. He was in a position to change Nigeria. His daughter won an election under an opposition party. It means his own political party is not popular in his Federal constituency. 

    “We had someone in the coalition, who as a governor of Kaduna State dammed the consequences without minding the feelings of people from Southern Kaduna, flew a Muslim/Muslim ticket and told them to go to hell. People forget easily. 

    Read Also: Tinubu to Nigerians in Saint Lucia: be good ambassadors

    “What will someone like Abubakar Malami be telling us? The Malabu scandal is still there. We also knew how the Ministry of Justice under him took over the trial of most suspects from EFCC that led to the unceremonious exit of Ibrahim Magu. 

    ” We know all of them. If I had not been convinced that President Tinubu is doing something. I am now further convinced that President Tinubu’s policies are affecting the establishment, those who think that it should continue to be business a usual.

    “What will any of them be telling us in the coalition. We have a rascallly former Senator in Dino Melaye, who couldn’t win his state. What is he bringing to the table?

    “He has been on social media telling Nigerians that they are hungry and angry. He has been flaunting his wrist watches and his cars, shoes and cloths of various designers. We cannot be deceived. Nigerians know better now”.

  • Tonye Cole appoints Lloyd as campaign chief

    A former Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, has been appointed the director-general of Tonye Cole Campaign Organisation, ahead of the 2019 governorship election.

    Lloyd, PhD Law, from Emohua Local Government, will coordinate the campaigns of Cole and his running mate, Chief Victor Giadom, of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The appointment was confirmed yesterday in a telephone interview by Rivers APC Publicity Secretary Chris Finebone.

    Governor Nyesom Wike sued Lloyd over the crisis in the Seventh Rivers Assembly, when attempts were made by five lawmakers to impeach then Speaker Otelemaba Dan Amachree, But the ex-Law teacher at Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt declared that he remained innocent of the allegation and he would never be intimidated, while remaining focused to ensure victory for APC and its candidates during next year’s polls.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Court orders release of Lloyd’s passport

    Court orders release of Lloyd’s passport

    A RiverS State High Court in Port Harcourt yesterday ordered the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, to release a lawmaker’s international passport.

    Chidi Lloyd’s passport was held over the alleged killing of a police sergeant, Urang Obadiah and Kingsley Ejeuo, in a road crash last December.

    This followed a motion on notice by his lawyers, led by Beluolisa Nwofor, urging the court to order the police to release the document.

    Lloyd, who represents Emuoha in the House of Assembly, was involved in an accident on the East-West Road.

    He was held by the police and later granted administrative bail. The submission of his international passport was part of the conditions for his bail.

    He was incarcerated by the police for close to two weeks, following a fracas in the Assembly on July 9.

    The lawmaker was accused of the attempted murder of his colleague, Michael Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Constituency 2. Justice Latam Nyordee granted him bail on the condition that he must submit the document to the court.

    Last month, Lloyd applied to the court for a temporary release of the document to enable him access medical treatment abroad.

    The court obliged him, but he was yet to travel before the accident and his subsequent arrest.

    Efforts to retrieve the document from the police failed, hence the motion to the court.

    Making his submissions before the court yesterday, Nwofor said the police disrespected the court by seizing a document which is before the court. He urged the court to order him to release it.

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms, did not raise any objection.

    Justice Nyordee upheld Lloyd’s plea and ordered the police to release the document.

    He berated the police for deliberately making the same document a condition for releasing the victim, and seizing same even when aware that it is a document before the court.

    The matter was adjourned till February 13 for hearing.

  • Arrest of Rivers Majority Leader: Police lied —Amaechi, Lloyd

    Arrest of Rivers Majority Leader: Police lied —Amaechi, Lloyd

    Governor  Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State yesterday  dismissed as a lie,the police version of the circumstances surrounding the Thursday arrest of the Leader of the House of Assembly,Mr.Chidi Lloyd.

    Lloyd himself accused Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu of desperation to destroy his political career for no just cause.

    The police arrested Lloyd on Thursday   for alleged   double murder . The politician, according to the state police command’s spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), was responsible for the murder of Police Sergeant Urang Obediah and one Kingsley Ejeuo.

    The police described Ejeuo as Lloyd’s political opponent.

    Muhammad said: “He (Lloyd) was arrested on his way to join His Excellency, Governor Amaechi Rotimi, in his private jet at the Airforce Base (Aba Road, Port Harcourt) to escape justice.

    “Hon. Chidi Lloyd on 30/12/2013, while pursing his political opponent, knocked down Sgt. Urang Obediah, in spite of his effort to stop him, rammed and killed him and went ahead to crush the Passat car Mr. Kingsley Ejeuo was driving and killed him.

    “Initially, the police thought that it was a mere accident, which ought to have been manslaughter. The Commissioner of Police directed ACP Aliyu Garba, the Area Commander Metro, to visit him (Lloyd) on his hospital bed and commiserate with him.

    “Conscious of what he did, Chidi Lloyd relocated to another hospital. When facts emerged that Chidi Lloyd drove a bulletproof vehicle, while pursing his political opponent, the late Mr. Kingsley Ejeuo, and he knocked down Sgt. Urang Obediah, who died on the spot and moved ahead to smash a political opponent in his Passat car, who equally died instantly.

    “The late Mr. Kingsley Ejeuo, who hailed from the same place with Hon. Chidi Lloyd (Emohua), is believed to be in the PDP camp led by Elder Felix Obuah. While being guarded by four policemen on his hospital bed, he (Lloyd) sneaked out through the hospital’s back door in three tinted bulletproof jeeps and escaped.

    “On receipt of the information of the escape of Chidi Lloyd, the Commissioner of Police, Mbu J. Mbu, directed a thorough search on all jeeps, while the CP himself personally drove to the Air Force Base where he met with His Excellency, Governor Amaechi Rotimi, and a private jet waiting for take-off.

    “As soon as he (CP) alighted, he saluted the governor. The governor ignored him and showered a rain of abuses on the commissioner of police, but the CP kept calm. Unfortunately for Chidi Lloyd, the eagle-eyed police patrol vehicles intercepted him and the CP was informed immediately and he left the Air Force Base for his office, ignoring the abuses from the governor. After waiting in vain for Chidi Lloyd’s arrival, the Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, boarded his jet and took off in anger.”

    However,the governor’s Chief Press Secretary,Mr.David Iyofor,said  the story put out by the police was a  ”completely distorted and untrue account” of  what happened.

    He said Governor Amaechi has no private plane or jet, as claimed by the police and  Lloyd “was nowhere near the plane that took the Governor from Port Harcourt to Abuja.”

    Governor Amaechi,he added, “was about to leave for Abuja, when he was informed that the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, had ordered that the plane (which is not the governor’s private jet, as claimed by the police) cannot leave Port Harcourt because Hon. Lloyd was in the plane and about to ‘escape’ with Governor Amaechi.

    “Shocked, several calls were put across to CP Mbu that were not answered. CP Mbu later showed up and when the governor asked him, he denied giving such an order. He then went on and on, making a baseless, noisy argument that no one could comprehend.

    “Governor Amaechi put it to him that he (Mbu) came to search the plane for Chidi Llyod and told him to go ahead and search the plane. Mbu continued talking endlessly, showing absolutely no respect or regard for the office of the Governor of Rivers State, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state.

    “Governor Amaechi then called the Inspector-General of Police (IGP). While the Governor was speaking with the IGP on the phone, CP Mbu was shouting at the Governor on top of his voice, trying to disrupt the conversation between the Governor and the IGP, to the shock and disbelief of those that were there.”

    Iyofor said that the Governor only heard about Lloyd’s arrest in his (Lloyd’s) house in the presence of his family members and lawyer, Emenike Ebete,while the governor was away in Abuja.

    Ebete also disputed the police claim.

    Speaking on the phone yesterday,he said the police action was politically motivated.

    He said Lloyd neither drove the car in question nor knew Ejeuo in his life time.

    He said Lloyd was arrested in his (Lloyd’s) residence and not the Air Force Base as claimed and Lloyd  personally gave the police the direction to his house.

    His words: “On 30th of December, 2013, Hon. Chidi Lloyd planned a get-together with his friends in his village, Akpabu (in Emohua LGA of Rivers State). The event that was supposed to start from 10 am did not start until 3.30 pm because of his (House leader’s) state of health.

    “By the time the event was ending, it was around 10.30 pm. We tried to make him not to leave because of the time and his health, but he said since he had a driver and he had no reason to stay back.

    “The accident happened in front of the Emohua Local Government Council Secretariat (along the ever-busy, but pothole-ridden East-West Road, still being dualised by the Federal Government). There was a stop-and-search police team. There was also a parked trailer, in front of which a Passat was parked, being checked by a policeman.

    “As we approached the search-and-stop spot, another trailer was oncoming and instead of colliding with it, the driver of the car in which Hon. Lloyd was, swerved out of the road and ran into the Passat.

    “The policemen doing the search died instantly. One of the four occupants died too. Two were taken to the hospital. One of the two had been discharged, while the other one is still receiving medical attention. The fourth person came out unhurt.”

    Lloyd’s lawyer said Lloyd’s driver who was behind the wheels was immediately arrested and wrote a statement for the police.

    He added:”The impact was so much that there was smoke in the car and all the occupants, including Lloyd, escaped from the car, through one door. After the accident, he (Lloyd) was taken to the hospital, Morning Star Clinic in D-Line, Port Harcourt and since the hospital is being renovated, in the morning, he was taken to Kelsy Harrison Memorial Hospital (owned by the Rivers State Government) on Emenike Street, Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, where he was discharged around 4 pm on Thursday.

    “Police called him (Lloyd) to say they wanted to see him over the accident. He directed them to his residence. The police team, led by a senior officer, Sola, took him away from his house, not anywhere near the Air Force Base or the governor’s aircraft, as indicated by the police. He followed them from his house.”

    The State chapter of the PDP,in a statement by its spokesman, , Jerry Needam ,called for a thorough investigation of the matter.

    He  accused Governor Amaechi of continually harassing, intimidating and victimising  PDP members and claimed  that it had uncovered  a plot to free Lloyd.

  • Police arrest Rivers House leader Lloyd

    Police arrest Rivers House leader Lloyd

    The Police in Rivers State arrested yesterday House of Assembly Leader Chidi Lloyd over the death of Police Sergeant Urang Obadiah and a politician, Kingsley Ejeuo.

    According to a statement by police spokesman Ahmad K. Mohammad, Lloyd was arrested on his way to the Air Force base where he was going to escape the arrest in Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s private jet.

    Mohammad alleged that the House leader drove his bullet proof vehicle in a reckless manner to kill the two victims at the Emohua on the East-West road on December 30, last year.

    He said the police initially thought it was an accident until further investigations proved otherwise.

    Lloyd’s lawyer Emenike Ebete could not be reached last night for his reaction.

    The police statement reads: “The Rivers State Police Command has arrested Hon. Chidi Llyod of the Rivers State House of Assembly for murder of Police Sgt. Urang Obediah and Mr. Kingsley Ejeuo, his kinsman and arch political opponent.

    “He was arrested on his way to join His Excellency  Governor Amaechi Rotimi in his private jet at the Air Force base to escape justice.

    “Hon. Chidi Lloyd while pursuing his political opponent, Ejeuo, hit and knocked down Sgt. Urang Obediah, in his (Obadiah’s) effort to stop him (Lloyd).

    “He rammed over the Passat car in which Ejeuo was driving, killing him on the spot.

    “The Police initially thought it was a mere accident which ought to have been a manslaughter, not until Lloyd relocated from the initial private hospital where he was being treated, after ACP Aliyu Garba by the directives of CP Mbu J. Mbu visited him that the Police began to raise suspicion and went into further investigations on the purported accident.

     ”Conscious of what he did, Chidi Lloyd relocated to another hospital. It was later that facts emerged that Chidi Lloyd drove a bullet proof vehicle while pursuing his political opponent late Mr. Kingsley Ejeuo and he knocked down the police Sergeant who died on the spot and moved ahead and smashed Ejeuo’s Passat car, killing him also on the spot.

    “The late Mr. Kingsley Ejeuo who hailed from the same place with Lloyd was a member of PDP.

    “While being guarded by four police in his hospital bed, he sneaked out through the hospital’s back door in three tinted bullet proof jeeps and escaped.” Police claimed.

    Lloyd a member representing Emohua LGA is standing trial on attempted murder of his colleague Michael Chinda during the last July 9, fracas at the floor of the state House.

    The case was adjourned to November 27 for hearing on application to quash the information against him.

    The matter did not go on following the state-imposed public holiday to mark the Port Harcourt centenary celebration. No further date has been fixed for the matter.

    Police lied, says CPS

    The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Mr. David Iyofor, said last night of the police account of the arrest: “It is most preposterous and outrageous for the police to say that. Escape to where? Does it make any sense to escape from Port Harcourt to Abuja? Is Abuja not within the Federal Republic of Nigeria? It’s a blatant lie.”

  • Court releases Lloyd’s passport for medical treatment abroad

    Court releases Lloyd’s passport for medical treatment abroad

    A vacation court in Port Harcourt yesterday ordered the release of the passport of the Leader of the state House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Lloyd’s passport had been seized by the police in the wake of his arrest following the July 9 fracas on the floor of the State House of Assembly.

    The police slammed him with six-count charge of conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, intention to cause grievous harm, assault occasioning harm, causing grievous harm, and malicious damage (of government property), after the bloody fight.

    His victim was named as a fellow lawmaker, Michael Okechuku Chinda.

    Lead counsel to Governor Chibuike Amaechi and the 27 lawmakers loyal to the governor in the ongoing political impasse in the state, Mr. Beluolisa Nwofor, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), confirmed the release of the passport.

    Justice Sobere Biambo ordered the passport released following an application by Lloyd to allow him access to urgent medical treatment overseas.

    Lloyd, through his lawyer, told the court that his health was failing and his medical doctor here in Nigeria had referred him to a London hospital for adequate attention.

    He attached two different medical reports issued by his doctor in which urgent overseas medical attention was recommended.

    Lloyd was granted six weeks to undertake the treatment and return the documents to the court.

    Nwofor said: “We applied to a vacation court for his passport to be released to enable him travel for medical treatment. After he was released, his doctors examined him on two different dates and issued a medical report that showed extreme urgency, and noted that the medical facilities needed for his treatment are not readily available here in our vicinity. Because of that, he needed to travel abroad.

    “In fact, they made a specific referral to a hospital in London where he could obtain adequate medical treatment. As you know, he cannot travel without his passport. Based on those two medical reports, we had to go to a vacation court, which is a court set aside for urgent matters.

    “These two medical reports were not there at the time Justice Letam Nyordee granted him bail. There was fresh evidence that emanated following his health condition after he was granted bail.

    “As a result of this, we approached the vacation court and we are happy that the judge saw merits in the application and granted it.

    “The court made an order for him to return it on or before October 28. So, there is no cause for alarm.”

  • Court frees Rivers House Leader Lloyd

    Court frees Rivers House Leader Lloyd

    Justice Latan Nyordee of a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday admitted the detained Leader of the House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, to bail in the sum of N10 million.

    Lloyd, a member representing Emuoha Local Government Area, is slammed with a six-count charge of conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, intention to cause grievous harm, assault occasioning harm, causing grievous harm and malicious damage (of government property), following the July 9 fracas at the legislative house.

    Nyordee granted him bail with N10 million, and three sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident in Port Harcourt.

    Two of the sureties, the judge said, must own landed property in Port Harcourt. The other must be a civil servant not lower than grade level 16, and must be confirmed by the head of the state’s civil service.

    The residential addresses of the sureties must be verified by the senior registrar of the court before he (Lloyd) would be allowed to go home. The accused person was shortly sent back to prison custody, pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.

    There were reports that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives were at the court to re-arrest Lloyd.

    Youths and Lloyds’ supporters flooded the court as the rumour went round the High Court complex after the sitting.

    But an EFCC official in Port Harcourt office denied knowledge of plans to arrest Lloyd. “I don’t know what you are talking about. As you can see, I am answering you from the office. I was not at the court and I don’t know what you mean,” he said.

    This is the second time in three days that the embattled lawmaker has been granted bail.

    A State Divisional High Court in Ahoada East Local Government Area, presided over by Justice Charles Wali on Monday, granted him bail in the sum of N5million and one surety in like sum.

    The surety, the Judge said, must own a landed property within the jurisdiction of the High Court.

    Mr. Justice Wali ordered that Lloyd be released from detention with immediate effect, and that he should surrender the photocopy of his international passport to the Court registrar.

    He also made an order of injunction restraining the police from further arresting and detaining him, pending the determination of his substantive suit.

    Mr. Justice Wali’s order, however, did not hold water as the police refused to let him go on Tuesday, but chose to produce him before Justice Nyordee (amidst heavy security), who ordered him remanded in prison custody till yesterday.

    Lloyd went to the court to enforce his fundamental human rights, having been detained by the police for over two weeks and the fact that his health condition was failing. He accused the police of torturing him and infringing on his rights. He sued them for N50 billion damages in the same court.

    Lloyd was scheduled to appear before Mr. Justice Nyordee on Tuesday for his formal arraignment and plea in the six-count charge against him before Justice Wali granted him bail.

    The lawmaker pleaded not guilty to the charges. His bail application was moved by Nwofor and the court adjourned for ruling.

    The prosecution now led by the Attorney-General (A-G) and Commissioner for Justice Worgu Boms, had after taking over the prosecution from the police, applied for the withdrawal and striking out of the Police counter affidavit filed in respect of the motion for bail. His request was granted. He did not raise any objection against the bail application, and have nothing before the court against the move.

    In his ruling, Justice Nyordee, held that the essence of bail was to grant temporary freedom to an accused person in a criminal trial to enable him prepare for his defence.

    He upheld the arguments of the defence lawyer Beluolisa Nwofor (SAN), in his motion for bail that the six-count charge contained bailable felonies.

    Nwofor expressed joy that his client had finally regained freedom. He promised to facilitate the fulfilment of the conditions to enable him go home.

    He, however, kicked against Lloyd surrendering his travel passport to the court and applied that the court accepts photocopy. The court insisted that he must deposit the passport.

    Nwafor filed an application for dismissal of the suit, which the court adjourned till November 21 for hearing on the motion.

  • Rivers crisis: House Leader Lloyd arraigned

    Rivers crisis: House Leader Lloyd arraigned

    A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt yesterday ordered detained House Leader Chidi Lloyd remanded in prison custody for allegedly attempting to murder his colleague, Michael Chinda.

    Lloyd faced a six-count charge of murder, attempted murder, inflicting of grievous harm on Chinda, unlawful assault, using the mace to inflict injuries on him and malicious damage (of government property), following the July 9 fracas in the House of Assembly.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered to be remanded in prison custody.

    Mr. Justice Latan Nyordee adjourned till today ruling on Lloyd’s bail application.

    “In view of the application for bail, this case is adjourned till August 7, for ruling. Meanwhile the accused person is remanded in prison custody till the adjourned date,” he said.

    Also yesterday, Mr. Justice Esor Teetito rejected Lloyd’s interlocutory application, urging him to restrain the police from further inviting and arresting him over the Assembly fracas.

    Mr. Justice Teetito ruled that he could not stop the police from inviting and investigating a person in a criminal matter, especially when a prima facie report had been made against him. He described the suit as baseless. He dismissed it.

    Lloyd went to the court to enforce his fundamental human rights and to stop the police from further inviting and arresting him over the fracas.

    This was after Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar invited him for further interrogation on the fracas and Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu had placed him on the wanted list.

    Lloyd was arrested before the court could hear the application. He has been in detention ever since.

    Moving the motion, shortly after the plea and the Attorney-General of the State, Worgu Boms, had taken over the prosecution, the lead counsel for Lloyd, Beluoilisa Nwofor (SAN), prayed the court to grant him bail on self-recognition, being the leader of the House of Assembly and also a lawyer.

    He told the court that all the six counts preferred against him were bailable felonies and the Constitution presumes the accused person innocent until otherwise proven.

    He assured the Judge that Lloyd has sureties who would take him on bail, and maintained that he would not abscond from his trial.

    “The counter affidavit deposed to and filed for the police by ASP Eniyepere Sikpi did not in any of their paragraph disapprove the bail of the accused person, neither did they say that his release on bail would in any way affect their investigation of the matter. Rather, they challenged him on the issues of his health,” Nwofor averred.

    The prosecution applied for the withdrawal of the counter affidavit filed, noting that he was interested in trying the case to conclusion.

    He said: “I am very grateful to God that Micheal Chinda did not die in this encounter. That is why I have the strength to stand in this matter.

    “I apply for the withdrawal of the counter affidavit filed by the Police and signed by Sikpi (ASP). I also urge the court to strike out the same counter affidavit. I am interested in the trial of this matter.”

    The court granted his application and struck out the police counter affidavit.

    The court ruled on the pending arguments on whether or not Donald DENwigwe(SAN), a private legal practitioner, could appear in a case instituted by the Police without a fiat from the office of the Attorney-General, and whether or not the A-GS should take over and continue with the prosecution in a criminal proceeding when the accused person had not been arraigned.

    It held that a private legal practitioner could appear in a case instituted by the police without a letter of authority from the Attorney-General, and also the A-GS could not take over a criminal proceeding until plea is taken.

    Nwofor (SAN) had on July 31 raised objection on the appearance of DENwigwe, a private lawyer, in a matter by the police without a fiat from the A-GS. He urged the court to disqualify him and other lawyers are not policemen.

    DENwigwe insisted that he could appear without a fiat so far as the case was not instituted by the A-GS and he has the copy of the personal letter with which the police engaged him to act on their behalf.

    Justice Nyordee agreed with DENwigwe that it was improper for the A-GS to indicate interest to take over the prosecution in a criminal charge when the accused person has not made a plea.

    He dismissed the argument of the A-GS, but noted that if the plea had been taken, the police could step down and allow the takeover of the prosecution by the A-GS, before the proceeding could go on.

    DENwigwe withdrew from the prosecution and the A-GS, Boms, stepped in.

    On whether he has faith on the A-GS in the case, DENwigwe said: “It is not a question of faith or no faith, but a question of what the A-GS wants to do, it is only a matter of the conscience of the A-GS.

    “The AG, whether of the state or the federation is the keeper of the conscience of state and time judges him in whatever he does.”

    A lawyer to Lloyd, Emenike Ebetem, described his formal arraignment as a positive step.

    He said: “The taking over of the matter by the A-GS is right, but that does not mean that all is well for us. Lloyd has to go for trial. You heard the A-GS say that he was interested in the trial; the trial will go on. The prosecution will prove whether Lloyd attempted to murder his colleague, assaulted him, and we will also canvass our position.”

    On the position of Justice Charles Wali’s State High Court, Ahoada’s, bail granted Lloyd on Monday, and his being remanded by Justice Nyordee yesterday, Ebetem said: “The Ahoada case was filed and the order was got same day (Monday), for the police to scuttle yesterday’s proceedings, and in their smartness, they produced the accused person in court this morning (yesterday).

    “It was the order that propelled them to produce him in court, because if that order wasn’t there, they would have come up with one excuse or the other. If they (police) had failed, that order would have propelled them to release him on bail.”

    A High Court in Ahoada East Council on Monday granted bail to Lloyd in the sum of N5million, with one surety with a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

    The court also ordered the police not to re-arrest the accused person when released.

    Ebete said the need to approach the court (Ahoada court), was for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the accused person having been detained by the police for about two weeks.

     

  • Rivers PDP kicks as Lloyd gets bail

    Rivers PDP kicks as Lloyd gets bail

    •It’s in order, says Ake

    Detained Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly Chidi Lloyd was yesterday granted bail in the sum of N5million by Justice Charles Wali of Ahoada High Court in Ahoada East Local Government Area.

    But the Rivers Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) protested, saying Governor Chibuike Amaechi is trying to shield Lloyd from prosecution.

    Lloyd, a member representing Emuoha Constituency, was arrested on July 23 at the Force Headquarters, Abuja where he went to report after being declared wanted in connection with the fracas on the floor of House on July 9.

    Lloyd must have one surety who owns landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. He (the surety), should submit the particulars of the property to the court, he said.

    He also ordered the Police not to re-arrest him, after he has been released.

    One of his lawyers, Emenike Ebete, said Lloyd would be released this morning after the order is served on the police.

    Asked what would happen to his matter before Justice Latan Nyordee today, he said he would still be in court for his matters today, but he will now come to court, a free man, not under heavy police security as was the case during his last appearance in court.

    “A high court in Ahoada has granted bail to our client Chidi Lloyd.

    “We approached the court to enforce his fundamental human rights, having been detained for about two weeks now. And following his doctor’s medical report on his deteriorating health condition in which he said if no serious and urgent attention is given to him, it might lead to his death.

    “Based on these, the court granted him bail and ordered that the police should not re-arrest him over this charge, and adjourned the case till August 12 for hearing.”

    Lloyd was transferred to Port Harcourt on July 26 to face his charges in court, and probably be released on bail. He is yet to be arraigned.

    However, efforts by his lawyers, led by Beluolisa Nwofor (SAN) to secure his bail release over the weeks were aborted.

    Two courts at the Port Harcourt High Court complex adjourned his matters till today for ruling.

    Justices Esor Teetito, which he initially approached to enforce his fundamental human rights and to get an injunction to stop the police from arresting him, adjourned till this morning to rule on whether or not the police should be restrained.

    Justice Nyordee will be ruling on whether or not it was ripe for the Attorney-General of the State(A-GS), Worgu Boms, to take over and continue with the prosecution of Lloyd in the six-count charge preferred against him.

    Lloyd is to be tried on a six-count charge of conspiracy, attempted murder, assault and malicious damage.

    The leadership of the PDP in Rivers State, however, expressed shock and utter disappointment on the bail granted Lloyd.

    The Obuah-led PDP said: “This is a vindication of our fears and alarm that the representative of Obio/Akpor 2 Constituency, Michael Okechukwu Chinda (one of the five anti-Amaechi lawmakers, who was injured in the July 9 fracas and still receiving treatment in a private hospital in London) cannot get justice in Rivers State.

    “Alarmed by the seeming contradiction in the face of the ongoing sanitisation of the judiciary by the NJC, the party describes the bail and order stopping further arrest and prosecution of Chidi Lloyd made by Justice Charles N. Wali, sitting in Ahoada, as a travesty of justice.

    “What is the logic behind the order by Justice Wali, in a case properly before another judge of coordinate jurisdiction in Port Harcourt, who is handling the matter and has adjourned it till Tuesday, August 6, 2013.

    “We note with disdain the plot to drag and further implicate the state’s judiciary, in a clear criminal case of attempted murder.

    “This has confirmed our earlier claim and fears that Governor Amaechi and his cohorts are doing all within their powers, using the governor’s office, to want to let Lloyd off the hook, while his victim (Chinda) is dying in a London hospital.

    “Why run to far-away Ahoada when the offence for which Hon. Lloyd was arrested, was committed in Port Harcourt.

    “The presence of Amaechi’s Commissioner for Agriculture (Emmanuel Chinda) and top aides to the governor of Rivers State in court today (yesterday) was premeditated to set Lloyd free.

    “The Rivers State High Court in Ahoada, presided over by Justice Charles Wali, lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter and above all lacks power to order the release of Chidi Lloyd in a criminal case that the suspect is not before him and plea not taken.

    “This development is most unfortunate, shameful and unacceptable to Rivers people. Governor Amaechi, Chidi Lloyd and Justice Charles N. Wali belong to the same camp and share the same sentiments.

    “We urge the NJC to as a matter of public importance initiate an immediate investigation into the activities of Justice Wali, with a view to unearthing the reasons behind the order, which was further ridiculed by succumbing to change the earlier condition that Lloyd should be stripped of his international passport, to only handing in the photocopy of it, so that he would proceed overseas for medical check-up, as argued by his lawyers.

    “We should also not lose sight of the far-reaching implications of this abuse of the judicial process, where an application touching on an attempted murder suspect, who is under another court, is made exparte, heard and its requests granted intoto the same day and even went beyond the prayers sought, to foreclose further prosecution of the matter.”

    The ruling party also described the development as a serious matter that must not be left to lie.”

    But the GU Ake- led PDP faction hailed the judgment that gave bail to Lloyd.

    Publicity secretary of the faction, Mr. George Ukwuoma-Nwogba, dismissed the “propaganda being peddled by Jerry Needam, the media aide to Felix Obuah.

    “I advise Obuah and his co travelers to respect our justice system and not to play politics with it as it remains the last hope of the common man. They should allow the rule of law to prevail.

    “Too many unguided utterances will only destroy our party and the needed peace we all pray for in our dear state,” the statement added.

    The Chindah family has petitioned the NJC over what they termed the undue interference of the Rivers State Chief Judge Justice Iche Ndu in the matter.

    According to a statement by Chief Evans Chindah, elder brother of Chindah, the family resorted to the petition against the Chief Judge to ensure that justice is done in the case which the Amaechi Government in Port Harcourt is twisting to give the impression that his brother was at fault and deserved the violence that Hon Chidi Lloyd visited on him.

    Chief Chindah said their family was particularly surprised and sad that instead of pursuing the course of peace, the Chief Judge and Amaechi do not want the case to go on.

    In the petition to the NJC, Chief Chindah raised the alarm that the glaring irregularities in the case since Lloyd was brought to court speaks volumes. Both the Chief Judge and the Judge, Justice Letam Nyordee, are trying to defeat justice through the back door. Lloyd was brought to court on a six-count charge of conspiracy, attempted murder and aggravated assault, among others.

    He said that owing chiefly to the desperation of the Amaechi administration to take control of the case prematurely and free Lloyd, the arraignment ran into a hitch. The court adjourned the matter till August 6, for ruling on the interlocutory argument of whether or not the police can engage a private counsel to prosecute the accused person.

    “Surprisingly and in a twist of fate, the chief Judge, the presiding Judge and the state government, unknown to the defence counsel, refixed the case to be heard again on July 31, 2013 instead of August 6. The court heard and ordered exparte that Lloyd be produced in court by the police, knowing full well that the short notice was inappropriate. As predicted, Lloyd was not brought to court and we went home dejected.”

    It is on this ground that the family is pleading with the NJC to call the Rivers State Chief Judge and the presiding Judge to order because justice is not a one- way traffic. All sides to the case deserve justice and that is what our family is asking for and no more,” he said.

     

  • Court refuses to hear Lloyd’s bail application

    Court refuses to hear Lloyd’s bail application

    The Rivers state High Court sitting in Port Harcourt , yesterday refused to hear a bail motion by the detained leader of the Rivers state House of Assembly (RSHA), Chidi Lloyd, when no plea had been taken in the case preferred against him by the Police .

    Lloyd was detained in Abuja on Tuesday, July 23 by the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar in connection with the July 9 fracas on the floor of the House.

    Justice Latan Nyordee said it is trite law that an application for bail in a criminal proceeding cannot be argued when the accused person is not in court or even arraigned.

    He held that when an interlocutory application is filed in a criminal charge as serious as that Lloyd is facing, it is proper for the accused person to be properly arraigned before application for bail can be heard.

    He noted that the condition for granting the application to hear the motion had not been fully met and the prosecution still has time to respond to the accused person’s affidavits.

    He adjourned the case to August 6, for ruling on his arraignment.

    He said:”in my own very, very view, and I so hold, that when an interlocutory application is filed in a criminal proceeding of this magnitude, it is proper to allow the accused person to be properly arraigned before application for bail can be moved.

    “This is trite law as regards criminal proceeding that motion for bail should be moved before plea is taken. Again the condition required to hear the motion is not fully met.For these reasons, the application is not granted.

    “This case had earlier been adjourned till the 6th day of August, for ruling. I rule that the matter be adjourned till the August 6.”

    Lead counsel to the accused ,Mr. Beluolisa Nwofor (SAN), had informed the court that the business of the day was to argue on the application for bail dated and filed on July 30 2013, and served on the prosecution on the next day.

    He said: “the case was adjourned today(yesterday), for substantive motion for bail filed on July 30, and served on the prosecution on July 31.

    “The process was received and signed for by, Sikpi Eniyepere (ASP).Evidence of service has also been returned to the court, but the Police have since then not filed any counter affidavit or written address in response to our affidavit.

    “It is more than 48 hour stipulated by law and we are ready to go ahead and move this un-objected motion for bail.

    “The accused person’s plea has not been taken and he is not in court.The police did not bring him.We can go on with the motion for bail, and an order made , as we know that an accused person can be granted bail even when he is in prison.If it pleases my Lord we are ready to go on to move our motion.”

    Chidi is facing a-six count charge of conspiracy, attempted murder, assault and malicious damage arising from the July 9 fracas in the State Assembly.

    His charge was filed at the state High Court last Monday by J.C. A. Ideachaba from the Force Headquarters Abuja, but he is yet to be arraigned and granted bail.

    At the last sitting, the House leader was in court but was not arraigned following an objection by his counsel to the appearance of a private legal practitioner, Donald DENwigwe(SAN), as lead prosecutor in the case instituted by the police without the permission of the Attorney-General of the state(A-GS).DENwigwe in his reply said the charge was not initiated by the A-GS, but the Police that engaged him, hence he did not require any authorization from the A-GS.