Some of the suspects in the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly, recently released, have alleged that they were offered N200 million to frame Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in the crime that occurred in 2023.

This was as the suspended Commissioner for Youth Development in Rivers State, Chisom Gbali, has denied claims of a planned protests in Port Harcourt, stating that the planned presentation of a new 2025 appropriation bill by the sole administrator was illegal and unconstitutional

However, the suspects, who were recently exonerated and acquitted by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, while speaking with journalists at a press conference, alleged that they were forced to implicate Ehie, in the arson.

The exonerated suspects: Chime Ezebalike and three others, told journalists they were arrested, detained, and tortured for about eight months for refusing to link the suspended Chief of Staff in the incident.

Speaking, Ezebalike who led the other acquitted suspects, explained that they were implicated because of their relationship with Ehie, as the three of them, Ezebalike, Kenneth, and Oladele, were known friends of Ehie and Sokari Goodboy, while MacPherson was allegedly an unfortunate victim of mere proximity.

Narrating the ordeal, Ezebalike said, “Starting from December 2023 we: Chime Ezebalike, Kenneth Kpasa, Prince Oladele Lukman, and MacPherson Olumini were individually and collectively subjected to arrest, intimidation, physical assault, psychological torture. All of this happened between December 5, 2023, and January 16, 2024.

“At some point, we were offered bribes in exchange for our freedom even though it was clear that we had committed no offence that warranted our being arrested and detained. Three of us – Chime, Kenneth, and Oladele are known associates of Rt. Hon. Ehie Edison and Hon. Sokari Goodboy, while MacPherson was an unfortunate victim of mere proximity.

“Our ordeal began with the arbitrary arrest of Oladele Lukman on December 5, 2023. On December 16, Chime and MacPherson were violently apprehended at Ogbakiri Junction along the East-West Road while returning from a funeral in Ahoada. On January 5, 2024, Kenneth Kpasa was forcefully taken in GRA, Port Harcourt, by a convoy of no fewer than three Hilux vans.

“We were blindfolded and taken to the Federal-Intelligence Response Team (F-IRT) unit along the Eastern Bypass in Port Harcourt, under the false pretence that the vehicle we were travelling in was stolen. It was later revealed that this was a ruse intended to force us into implicating Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie in three serious allegations: the murder of Supol Bako Angbashim, assassination attempt on Hon. Martins Amaewhule and burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.

“At the Federal-Intelligence Response Team facility, multiple attempts were made to coerce us into making false confessions. We were denied access to legal representation and, when permitted to write statements, were stopped midway for not writing what they wanted – statements that falsely implicated Edison Ehie and others.

“When we resisted and refused, they resorted to beatings, starvation, and psychological torture. Days later, we were offered money, alongside promises of a fully paid trip to Ghana or any country of our choice with our families, in exchange for implicating Edison Ehie. We rejected it all.

“On December 19, 2023, Chime and MacPherson were forcibly transferred to Abuja by road and arrived on December 20 to yet another round of inhuman treatment. Kenneth Kpasa, also subjected to a brutal experience in Port Harcourt, was later moved to Abuja. In his case, the same bribe N200million and a trip to Ghana for him and his family was offered.

“Shockingly, security agents even instructed another detainee to identify Kenneth as an arsonist in exchange for his own release. Kenneth later identified this man, Donald, by his voice. The same individual, according to the late Supol Bako’s girlfriend, used to deliver food to the deceased. Donald confessed to Kenneth that he was pressured by the police to falsely frame him.

“Due to deteriorating health, vomiting, high blood pressure, and fever, MacPherson was released on January 16, 2024. Shortly after, other suspects were brought into custody on new, unrelated allegations tied to the murder of Supol Bako.

Despite our innocence, the charges against us inexplicably grew from 3 to 7. We were remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility for six months. The case was eventually transferred to the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt due to jurisdictional issues.

Finally, in November 2024, after almost a year of suffering, the charges against us were dismissed. It was a silent admission of the grave injustice we suffered.”

Meanwhile, the exonerated suspects have noted that despite their ordeal there is a fresh plot by some Stalwarts of People Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to frame Ehie.

They raised the alarm claiming they were approached by a PDP leader in Obio/Akpor, who asked them to meet with one of their leaders.

Meanwhile, the suspended Commissioner for Youth Development, Chisom Gbali,  has denied claims of a planned protests in Port Harcourt.

He also stated that the planned presentation of a new 2025 appropriation bill by the sole administrator was illegal and unconstitutional

In response to reports suggesting unrest, Gbali dismissed such claims, arguing that the peaceful environment in Rivers was a reflection of unity and resolve of the People in the state

During an interview with ARISE News on Monday, he highlighted that the people of Rivers have chosen hope over fear and unity over conflict, remaining calm and supportive of Governor Fubara’s leadership.

Gbali further argued that Rivers State was functioning effectively, with ongoing government projects and positive validation from the so-called sole administrator, who has taken over the administration’s duties.

He reiterated that if any protests were truly occurring, he would have been informed, as he coordinates with all youth bodies under his ministry.

“There is no protest in Rivers State. I don’t think any protest is taking place in Port Harcourt because if there is any such thing I think I should be aware before hand,” he said.

According to him, he co-ordinated all the youth bodies, saying, “they are under my ministry, any thing should happen I would have a first class information, there is no protest in rivers state.”

Despite his suspension, Gbali insisted that his ministry has continued to operate smoothly, with permanent staff ensuring that daily operations were carried out.

He also addressed the political challenges surrounding the state’s governance, specifically the controversial role of a sole administrator in presenting and implementing the budget.

Gbali argued that it was unconstitutional for a sole administrator to assume such responsibilities and cancel projects already awarded by Fubara.

He criticised speculations to extend the tenure of the sole administrator, describing it as part of a calculated attempt to disrupt the state’s administration.