Four people wey dem first arrest because of the fire wey happen for Rivers State House of Assembly don come out talk say some people dey pressure dem make dem change their statement to point finger at Edison Ehie, wey be Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara wey dem suspend.
The four na Chime Ezebalike, Kenneth Kpasa, Oladele Lukman, and MacPherson Olumini. Court don free them since November last year after dem spend like six months for Kuje Prison.
For press conference wey dem do for Port Harcourt on Monday, Ezebalike talk say one big PDP leader for Obio/Akpor LGA don try reach them recently, dey beg dem make dem change their story.
Three of dem even show face for camera during the briefing. According to wetin dem talk, the matter na part of one big political game, wey dem say tie to wetin George Nwaeke — former Head of Service — talk for one press briefing for Abuja.
Dem say: “Dem wan make we change our statement and lie say na Edison Ehie plan the Assembly fire. After all the wahala we don pass through, we no fit follow do evil plan. We don suffer enough.”
Dem still talk say the people wey set dem up for the Assembly fire case also dey try join Edison name to other serious crimes — like the killing of DPO Bako Angbashim for Ahoada, and one alleged attempt to kill the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule.
Dem narrate how everything start since December 2023. Dem arrest Oladele on December 5, Chime and MacPherson on December 16, and Kenneth on January 5. Dem say dem blindfold them, carry them go F-IRT office for Port Harcourt, and there dem beat them, deny dem access to lawyer, and force dem to sign false confession.
One time, dem say one Assembly member even come with police officer to threaten dem make dem mention Ehie name. When dem refuse, dem start to beat dem and starve dem.
Dem also talk say one former local government chairman promise dem bribe — ₦200 million and even plan to carry dem go abroad — if dem just cooperate. Same offer come again when dem transfer some of them go Abuja.
For one case, dem talk say another prisoner dey promised freedom if him go lie say Kenneth Kpasa na arsonist.
After six months for Kuje Prison, the matter finally reach Federal High Court for Port Harcourt, and by November 2024, court don throway all the charges.
Now wey dem don free, dem say na time to talk their truth, not just for theirself but for other innocent people wey still dey suffer in silence.
Dem say:
“This country na all of us get am. Nobody suppose dey tortured or forced to lie because of politics. We dey beg civil society, media and all Nigerians wey love justice — make una rise and stop the way dem dey use government power punish innocent people.”
