A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Port Harcourt has remanded three members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, from Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
The three men — Confidence Amadi, Chikezie Justice and Isaiah Thomas — were brought before the court by the Rivers State Police Command on three counts bordering on conspiracy, alleged cult-related activities and threat to life.
When the matter came up, the prosecution filed an ex-parte application seeking their remand, arguing that the Magistrates’ Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case and that the remand would enable the prosecution to file the matter before a court with the appropriate jurisdiction. No plea was taken.
Presiding Magistrate Obiangeri Onugbum-Onuoha granted the application and ordered that the three men be remanded at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre. The matter was subsequently adjourned until October 2, 2026.
The three men were reportedly arrested following a disruption of an ADC political meeting in Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area. The ADC said the meeting was organised by its Ikwerre House of Assembly candidate ahead of his campaign activities.
The party alleged that police personnel and members of OSPAC were involved in the disruption and described the arrests as politically motivated. The ADC also accused security personnel of intimidating its members and called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
However, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, gave a different account, saying information from the Area Commander indicated that the three men were arrested after allegedly engaging in a fight and causing trouble.
The development comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding opposition activities in Ikwerre Local Government Area ahead of the 2027 general elections.
