Ekiti State on Thursday ordered the immediate closure of all state courts after a mob that besieged the High Court, venue of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, reportedly attacked a sitting judge, Justice John Adeyeye, beat him up and tore his suit into shreds.
In a statement signed by the Chief Registrar, Obafemi Fasanmi, the state Chief Judge, A. Daramola, ordered all state courts to remain closed until adequate and effective security of judges, magistrates, members of the bar, members of staff of the judiciary and other court users was assured and put in place.
Fasanmi, in Ado-Ekiti said the closure followed the increasing concern over the spate of attacks by political thugs and their persistent presence at the premises of the Court in the past few days.
Indicting the Police for their lackluster role, he said, “The police officers on guard looked unconcerned and disinterested as Judges, Magistrates and other members of staff had to run for their dear lives, while courts properties were either damaged or completely destroyed.
“The court room of the Hon. Chief Judge was not spared in the orgy of assault and destruction as members of staff attached to his office were beaten up and his court record book torn into pieces by these political thugs who also invaded and disrupted proceedings at the Election Petition Tribunal within the High Court premises in Ado-Ekiti.”
