Police tear-gas Rivers lawmakers, barricade House of Assembly

HEAVILY armed Policemen, yesterday, barricaded the two ends of Moscow Road leading to the state House of Assembly, thus preventing the pro-Governor Chibuike Amaechi lawmakers from reconvening the House.It would be recalled that a Federal High Court, Abuja, Wednesday, declared as illegal, the take-over of the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the House of Representatives.Following the court ruling, the 22 pro-Governor Amaechi’s lawmakers, therefore, gathered at the House of Assembly to resume sitting. But as early as 8.30 a.m. Police patrol vehicles were used to block the two ends of the road leading to the Assembly.Staff of the NNPC and other establishments whose offices were in the area were only allowed into their offices after their identities were confirmed by fierced looking anti-riot Policemen -
An Armoured Personnel Career, APC, and two Police patrol vehicles were also used to block the entry and exit gates of the state House of Assembly complex. Nobody was allowed into the complex. Journalists who were able to sneak through the gate of the Assembly complex were ordered to go back.
At about 9.30 a.m, the Police suddenly stopped even workers from entering the Moscow Road as some of the Policemen were seen clutching their walk-talkie to their ears, apparently taking and dishing out instructions.
At about 9.55 a.m, a Coaster bus conveying the pro-Amaechi lawmakers were stopped by the Police at the Port Harcourt City Council end of the road. The Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Mr Tony Okocha and Commissioner for Works, Mr Victor Giadom were among those stopped by the Police from proceeding beyond the Port HarcourtCity council end of the road.
Pleas by the lawmakers to be allowed beyond this point or to the state House of Assembly fell on deaf ears. The Policemen kept saying they were acting on instructions not to allow anyone go beyond the point or into the Assembly complex.