Police Arrest Sister of Cleric Rev. Fr. Edeh During Palm Sunday Visit in Rivers

Police operatives in Elele have arrested Maria Omego-Edeh, sister of Catholic cleric Prof. Emmanuel Edeh, on Sunday morning within the premises of the Catholic Adoration Prayer Ministry during Palm Sunday activities.

Omego-Edeh, a former Managing Director and majority shareholder of Mayfresh Mortgage Bank, was taken into custody after attending the ministry on Saturday evening to visit her ill brother. She reportedly spent the night in one of the guest facilities on the grounds.

According to individuals familiar with the situation, the arrest occurred as she moved to join Palm Sunday Mass. Officers from the Elele Police Division acted following complaints lodged by a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Charles, and her brother-in-law, Emmanuel Ani. The complainants alleged she had been barred from participating in services at the centre.

A source said she was intercepted on her way to church and arrested inside the premises, with officers citing the reported restriction as the basis for their action.

The incident is linked to an ongoing dispute surrounding alleged alterations of shareholding records of Mayfresh Mortgage Bank filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Omego-Edeh and her brother, John Paul Edeh, had earlier petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing certain individuals, including church-linked figures, of falsifying ownership documents.

The petition also reportedly involves individuals connected to Madonna University administration and other associated parties.

Another source described the arrest as connected to the EFCC complaint, suggesting increasing pressure on the petitioner following the allegations.

She was held at the Elele Police Station for several hours before being released later on Sunday evening, with instructions to report back to the station on Monday.

Civil rights advocate Olu Omotayo, speaking on the development, criticized the arrest, describing it as a violation of constitutional rights. He argued that access to worship cannot be restricted through police enforcement and linked the incident to the ongoing financial dispute under EFCC review.

Omotayo confirmed that Omego-Edeh had since been released but said monitoring of the case would continue, citing concerns over due process and personal liberties.