By Unue Emeka,
A fresh political crisis has engulfed Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State following allegations by the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Jeffrey Mordi, that he has continued to face intimidation, police harassment and repeated arrests despite a subsisting High Court order restraining such actions.
The dispute, which has further strained relations between the executive and legislative arms of the council, stems from the impeachment of the former Leader of the House and his deputy by councillors over alleged misconduct. Their removal paved the way for Hon. Mordi's emergence as the new Leader of the Legislative Arm.
Sources familiar with the dispute told our correspondent that the impeached principal officers were regarded as close political allies of the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Council, Hon. Innocent Esewezie. They claimed the change in leadership triggered a prolonged power struggle between the executive and legislature.
According to the sources, shortly after assuming office, Hon. Mordi allegedly became the target of sustained intimidation aimed at reversing the decisions of the legislative arm and weakening the new leadership.
They further alleged that the council chairman orchestrated Mordi's suspension from the House and directed that his salaries, allowances and other statutory entitlements be withheld. The sources claimed the House Leader has remained without his official benefits for more than six months.
The political standoff reportedly worsened after the roof of the legislative chamber was allegedly removed on the directive of the council chairman, rendering the facility unsuitable for legislative activities. As a result, councillors were said to have convened plenary sessions under a tree within the council secretariat to continue legislative business.
Sources said it was during this period that Hon. Mordi took custody of the legislative mace, insisting that the action was intended to safeguard the symbol of legislative authority from possible theft, damage or misuse following the exposure of the chamber.
Rather than easing tensions, they alleged that the custody of the mace further deepened the rift between the legislative leadership and the council chairman.
The sources also claimed that while some councillors were allegedly persuaded to support the executive through the provision of vehicles and other financial incentives, Hon. Mordi rejected all such overtures, a decision they said intensified pressure on him to relinquish his position.
They further disclosed that Hon. Mordi petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that the council's 2025 budget was implemented without legislative approval as required by law. According to the sources, the petition is currently before the anti-graft agency.
The dispute eventually spilled beyond politics, with allegations that security operatives and suspected thugs became involved in efforts to intimidate members of the legislative arm.
Fearing for his safety, Hon. Mordi approached the High Court of Justice sitting in Akukwu-Igbo, seeking protection against what he described as persistent threats, harassment and unlawful arrest.
Court documents in Suit No. AKU/M/1/2026 indicate that the court granted an interim order restraining Hon. Innocent Esewezie, Inspector Nkem (IPO), the Officer-in-Charge of the General Investigation Department, CSP Raymond Ndomeke, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, the Inspector-General of Police and their agents from arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating Hon. Mordi pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court also directed all parties to maintain the status quo until the matter is determined.
However, sources alleged that the order has been repeatedly flouted, claiming that Hon. Mordi has been arrested on at least three occasions since the litigation commenced and was allegedly assaulted during the arrests. They said photographs and other documentary evidence purportedly showing injuries sustained by the House Leader are available.
The sources further expressed concern that the continued involvement of security agencies, despite the subsisting court order, has heightened fears over Mordi's safety and raised questions about compliance with judicial directives.
As of the time of filing this report, information available to our correspondent indicated that Hon. Mordi had again been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, despite the interim order restraining the respondents and security agencies from arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating him pending the determination of the suit.
The latest development has intensified concerns over the enforcement of court orders and the escalating political crisis within Oshimili North Local Government Council. Efforts to obtain the reaction of the council chairman and the Delta State Police Comma
nd were unsuccessful as of press time.
