Edo lawmakers summon CP over arrest of traditional ruler in Assembly premises

The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday summoned the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, over the alleged arrest of a traditional ruler at the assembly complex.

DAILY POST reports that the summon was sequel to a matter of urgent public importance raised by the Majority Leader of the House, Jonathan Aigbokhan, APC, Esan West.

Aigbokhan, in his motion, condemned the arrest of the Ikpeshi traditional ruler, Zaiki Lukman Odameh III, inside the Assembly premises complex after a meeting with lawmakers.

He alleged that the arrest of the traditional ruler was carried out without the consent of the House leadership.

He said the CP should come and explain the incident during an executive session with lawmakers on Tuesday, by 1:00 pm.

The majority leader opined that the commissioner disrespected the lawmakers by arresting a guest who was formally invited by the House.

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

In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, described the arrest of the traditional ruler in the Assembly premises as a sacrilege and a direct affront on the Assembly by officers of the Edo Police Command.

“We are not disputing the police’s 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.

“Instead, the commissioner sent officers to arrest one of our invited guests within the Assembly. If arrest is necessary, go to Ikpeshi, not here.

“This is why I have summoned the commissioner of police to appear before lawmakers during Tuesday’s executive session at 1:00 pm,” the Speaker said.

He thereafter directed the immediate release of the traditional ruler, to enable him participate in the investigation being undertaken by the House on the Ikpeshi communal crisis.

DAILY POST recalls that the Assembly had on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 summoned Ikpeshi warring factions over violent clashes arising from kingship dispute and revenue collection crisis in the community.

At a meeting with the factions, the lawmakers directed both parties to maintain peace and suspend all actions pending the resolution of the crisis.