The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has barred the Rivers State House of Assembly, its officers and security agents from arresting, detaining or forcing the Vice-Chancellor of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Professor Smith Jaja, to appear before an ad hoc committee probing the management of funds the institution received from the state government.
Justice F. Onyiri made the order on September 30, 2026, in Suit No. PHC/3692/FHR/2026 after hearing an ex-parte application filed by the vice-chancellor under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.
The court restrained the Inspector-General of Police, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police and their officers from enforcing any resolution by the Assembly directing the arrest, detention or forcible appearance of Professor Jaja before the committee or any other panel set up by the House.
Named as respondents are the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Speaker, and Hon. Dumle Maol, the Deputy Speaker who chairs the ad hoc committee investigating the funds.
Justice Onyiri also granted the applicant leave to serve the court processes on the Assembly and its officers by substituted means.
Service can be effected by dropping the documents at the main gate of the Assembly Complex on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, or by publication in Today’s Top News newspaper, which circulates widely in the state.
The police respondents are to be served through the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
The matter was adjourned to October 9, 2026, for hearing of the substantive application seeking enforcement of Professor Jaja’s fundamental rights.
Dr C.A.J. Chinwo, assisted by S. Udesi, appeared for the applicant.
The order remains interim pending the hearing of the main suit.