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A deepening political crisis has engulfed Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, with serious allegations of abuse of office, intimidation, police harassment and blatant disregard for a subsisting court order threatening the independence of the council’s legislative arm.

At the centre of the controversy is the Leader of the Oshimili North Legislative Arm, Hon. Jeffrey Mordi, who has reportedly become the target of an intense political battle following the impeachment of the former Leader of the House and his Deputy by councillors over alleged misconduct.

Sources familiar with the crisis said the impeachment altered the leadership of the legislative arm and paved the way for Mordi’s emergence as Leader. They alleged that the removed officers were close allies of the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Innocent Esewezie, and that their removal triggered a fierce confrontation between the executive and legislative arms of the local government.

According to the sources, shortly after the leadership change, the council chairman allegedly launched what they described as a sustained campaign of intimidation against Mordi and other lawmakers in a bid to reverse the decisions of the House and weaken the new leadership.

The allegations include the suspension of Mordi from the legislative arm and the stoppage of his salaries, allowances and other statutory entitlements, which sources claimed have remained unpaid for more than six months.

The political impasse reportedly worsened when the roof of the legislative chamber was allegedly removed on the directive of the council chairman, rendering the chamber unusable for legislative activities.

With no access to their official chamber, members of the legislative arm were said to have resorted to holding legislative sittings under a tree within the council premises to keep the business of lawmaking alive.

Sources explained that during the period, Mordi took custody of the legislative mace, the symbol of the authority of the House, to protect it from possible damage, theft or unauthorised use after the chamber became exposed following the removal of its roof.

However, they alleged that his continued custody of the mace further strained relations with the council chairman, who allegedly viewed the action as a direct challenge to his authority.

The sources also claimed that while several councillors were allegedly persuaded to align with the executive through the provision of vehicles and other financial inducements, Mordi refused to accept any such offers, a development they said intensified pressure on him to relinquish the leadership of the House.

They further disclosed that Mordi petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that the Oshimili North Local Government’s 2025 budget was implemented without the approval of the legislative arm as required by law. The petition, according to the sources, is currently before the anti-graft agency.

The crisis later escalated beyond political disagreements, with allegations that thugs and security operatives became involved in efforts to intimidate members of the legislature.

Fearing for his safety and liberty, Mordi approached the High Court of Justice, Delta State, sitting in Akukwu-Igbo, seeking protection against what he described as persistent threats, intimidation and unlawful arrest.

Court documents in Suit No. AKU/M/1/2026 show that the court granted an interim order restraining the respondents, including 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, and the Inspector-General of Police, from arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating Mordi pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The court also directed all parties to maintain the status quo until the matter is determined.

Despite the order, sources alleged that it has been repeatedly flouted. They claimed that Mordi has been arrested on about three occasions since the dispute began and was allegedly assaulted by police officers during the arrests. They further stated that photographs documenting injuries allegedly sustained by the House Leader are available.

According to the sources, the continued involvement of security agencies despite the court’s restraining order has heightened fears for Mordi’s safety and raised fresh concerns about respect for the rule of law.

As of the time of filing this report, information available to our correspondent indicated that Mordi had again been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Command of the Nigeria Police Force despite the subsisting interim order restraining the respondents and security agencies from arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating him pending the determination of the suit.

The latest arrest has further intensified concerns over the enforcement of judicial orders and the deteriorating political crisis in Oshimili North Local Government Area.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Council, Mr. Innocent Esewezie, were unsuccessful as calls to his known telephone line were not answered. A response from the Delta State Police Command was also not available at the time of filing this report.