The civil society group Citizens for Justice and Accountability in Governance (CJAG) has called for a comprehensive investigation into allegations that four suspects are being coerced into falsely implicating Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, in the 2023 fire incident at the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In a statement issued Friday, CJAG President Stephen Emmanuel described the allegations made by the suspects — Chime Ezebalike, Kenneth Kpasa, MacPherson Olumini, and Oladele Lukman — as alarming, suggesting a broader effort to manipulate justice and intensify the political turmoil in Rivers State.
“This issue has gone beyond arson. We are now looking at a calculated attempt to smear reputations, distort public opinion, and mislead security agencies for political purposes,” Emmanuel said.
The group expressed outrage at the reported claims of illegal detention, threats, blindfolding, and bribery, labeling them as gross violations of human rights and due process.
“In a democratic society, no one should be subjected to such degrading treatment. It’s unacceptable that anyone would resort to fabricating charges involving murder, arson, and assassination attempts to settle political disputes,” CJAG stated.
Emmanuel added that the group has filed petitions with the Attorney-General of the Federation and the National Human Rights Commission, urging them to initiate an immediate inquiry into the arrests and alleged coercion.
He also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to safeguard the integrity of the legal system. “If this is part of a coordinated plot to silence Ehie or undermine Governor Fubara, the perpetrators must be identified and held accountable. Justice must not be weaponized,” he warned.
CJAG further called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the role of the Federal Intelligence Response Team (F-IRT) in the matter, stressing the need for transparency in law enforcement.
The group concluded with a stern warning about the wider implications of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, noting that unchecked political manipulation could pose a threat to national stability.
“This situation is about more than Rivers State — it’s about justice, the rule of law, and the future of our democracy,” Emmanuel said.