On Thursday morning, Ekiti State High Court witnessed severe
crisis as thugs believed to be loyal to the state Governor-elect, Ayodele
Fayose, allegedly beat up a judge, Justice John Adeyeye, for being rude to Mr.
Fayose. The pandemonium that ensued scuttled the Ekiti State Governorship
Election petition Tribunal sitting billed to hold today at the High court,
Ado-Ekiti, as judicial workers abandoned
their duty post and ran for safety.
Witnesses said the pro-Fayose thugs had besieged the court premises as early
as 6a.m., while a detachment of policemen from the police headquarters were
also seen on major streets and around the court.
Justice Adeyeye of High Court 3, who was miffed by the huge
number of the thugs as they surged towards the court premises had approached
Mr. Fayose and urged him to prevail on “his supporters” to keep a safe distance
from the court premises, the witnesses said.
An enraged Mr. Fayose was said to have shouted the judge
down. Immediately, thugs numbering about 20 pounced on Justice Adeyeye, beat
him up and tore his clothes, while his co workers scampered and shouted for
help.
Following the development, judicial workers hurriedly shut
down the court premises thereby preventing any court proceeding for hours
before the police fired tear gas canisters to disperse the surging crowd. Justice
Adeyeye is presently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Ado-Ekiti.
A similar scenario had played out on Monday when suspected
PDP thugs stormed the high court premises, attacked the trial judge, some
litigants and judicial workers in the
bid to prevent hearing in a case to
determine Mr. Fayose’s eligibility for the June 21 governorship election.
Mr. Fayose could not be reached on Thursday morning. He did
not answer or return calls to his mobile telephone.
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