The Nigeria Police, yesterday, arraigned the leader of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Julius Lloyd before a Port Harcourt High Court.

Lloyd, who was arraigned following the order of the court on Tuesday, was brought into the crowded court at 10.50am accompanied by armed police men and other security agencies. No plea where taken when the matter was mentioned due to submissions made by counsels for the parties.

Prosecution counsel, Mr Donald DeNwigwe (SAN) who led a team of lawyers had argued that the state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Worgu Boms could not take over the criminal proceedings when there was no proper arraignment of the accused before the court.

DeNwigwe submitted that the announcement by the Attorney-General of taking over the criminal proceedings was premature and cited legal authorities to support his contention.

Earlier, the Attorney-General had announced his intention to take over the matter based on the powers conferred on him by section 211 of the 1999 constitution as amended in the interest of justice, and added that it was an offence against the state.

Also, Mr Beluolisa Nwofor (SAN) who earlier announced his appearance with other lawyers for the accused, Chidi Lloyd had objected to the appearance of DeNwigwe and other lawyers for the prosecution.

Nwofor submitted that DeNwigwe who is a private legal practitioner must by law obtain a fiat from the state Attorney-General to prosecute the matter, and added that a letter he showed to the court was not enough.

He said that though the police under section 23 of the Police Act has powers to prosecute criminal cases it was subject to the powers of the state Attorney-General.

Consequently, the trial judge, Justice L. L. Nyordee adjourned the matter to August 6 to enable him give a ruling on submissions made by the lawyers.