The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State says the recent burning of Dr. Chidi Lloyd’s residence in the state is a fulfilment of a threat issued by leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state.

At a press conference held in Port Harcourt on Sunday, the state Chairman of the party, Chief (Dr.) Ibiamu Ikanya, said one of such, instances “is the ongoing persecution of Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree on trumped-up charges before their court in Port Harcourt despite attempts by the Nigeria Police to properly investigate the matter before charges are filed.”

The party also said that last week, the landed property of the State Women Leader, Evangelist Caroline Nagbo was invaded and vandalised by suspected political thugs who are now on the run.

Chief (Dr.) said: “The APC calls on all well-meaning Nigerians including the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the State Director, DSS and all security agencies to come to the aid of Dr. Chidi Lloyd as his life and those of his family members are in grave danger just for being an APC leader in Rivers State. We urge relevant security agencies to painstakingly investigate this latest assault on Hon. [Dr.] Chidi Julius Lloyd to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice promptly.

“The APC has also taken notice of the spate of bombings and destruction of pipelines in the Niger Delta by the Avengers and other restive groups. We condemn these acts of sabotage and urge the perpetrators to desist from such in order not to worsen the nation’s presence economic recession.”

He further narrated: “On the 21st of September, 2016, at about 4:25pm, Hon. (Dr.) Chidi Julius Lloyd received a phone call from his security men in his country home AKPABU, a community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, that unknown gunmen numbering about 20 in various military camouflage stormed the community on 10 motor bikes and shot sporadically into the air, scaring members of the community and finally broke into his premises and threw dynamite into his compound housing a chapel, a hall and a two-bedroom guest house, fully furnished. The inferno that followed burnt down his personal belongings such as library and other valuables.

“The APC recalls that since the 2013 crisis that engulfed the RVHA, Dr. Chidi Lloyd has been subjected to all forms of threats by the PDP and agents of Rivers State Government under Governor Nyesom Wike.

“Following the unfortunate incident in the RSHA, Dr. Lloyd was arrested, detained and charged to court for the offence of attempted murder among other charges. When the then Hon. Attorney-General, Worgu Boms Esq, in exercise of his constitutional powers, took over prosecution and eventually discontinued trial as a result of the fact that the police authorities then had made it impracticable for trial to continue as the complainant had approached the Port Harcourt division of the federal High court seeking for an order to stop the release of the case file to the HAG.

“Curiously, on May, 2016, the Hon. Attorney-General of Rivers State, Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, filed a criminal information in the High Court of Rivers States, before Hon. Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikaran, to review the Nolle Prosequi entered by the Hon. Worgu Boms way back in 2013.

“The trial is currently ongoing with an interlocutory order to the police to produce Dr. Chidi Lloyd to take plea even when no process was served on him.

“Arising from that development, Dr. Lloyd has since appealed the order despite all efforts by Justice Lamikaran to frustrate him from exercising his constitutional right to appeal. Subsequently, Dr. Lloyd has also petitioned the Hon. Chief Justice of the Federation and the Chairman of the National Judicial Council, NJC.

“Despite the pendency of the matter at the court of appeal, Justice Adama Laminkara has refused to stay proceedings in the matter.

“Only on Thursday, the 21st of September, 2016 at about 10 am, the Hon. Attorney-General of Rivers State, Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN had boasted in open court that since the police, a non-party in the matter, had refused to produce Dr. Lloyd, they (the prosecution) will ensure Dr. Lloyd appears in court to take plea 'their own way' and six hours later, the country home of Dr. Lloyd was bombed and razed down.

“We have painstakingly drawn this graphic analogy so that it will be clear to the discerning and fair-minded Rivers people and Nigerians who the perpetrators of the arson on Dr. Chidi Lloyd’s country home are.”

•Photo shows Chidi Lloyd.

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