Edo Assembly invites CP over arrest of monarch

The meeting on June 18, with Ikpeshi factions, the lawmakers directed both parties to maintain peace and suspend all actions pending the resolution of the ongoing crises.

Raising a matter of urgent public importance at plenary, yesterday, Majority Leader, Jonathan Aigbokhan, condemned the arrest of an invited traditional ruler within the Assembly complex by the police.

He stated that the CP disrespected the lawmakers by arresting one of its guests formally invited by the House.

Other lawmakers, who condemned the arrest, demanded the immediate release of the traditional ruler, urging the police to respect legislative proceedings and protocols.

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The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, described the arrest and detention of the traditional ruler as sacrilegious, saying the act by officers of the Edo State Police command was a direct affront on the Assembly.

Agbebaku said: “We are not disputing the police right to arrest, but they should not have done so inside the premises of the Assembly complex.

“If they want to arrest someone, they should invite them to the command. Not someone the Assembly formally invited for peace dialogue.

“The member representing Akoko-Edo II, Donald Okogbe, raised the issue, and I immediately convened a meeting with the Ikpeshi warring factions that same day.