FG Shuts Ekiti Courts Until After Fayose’s Inauguration

Latest reports indicate that the presidency might have ordered security operatives in Ekiti State to ensure that courts in the state are shut until the inauguration of the state’s governor-elect, Ayo Fayose on 16 October, 2014.

Premium Times reports that the move is aimed at ensuring that the inauguration of Fayose holds without any inhibition by way of injunction or judgment in the ongoing case challenging Mr. Fayose’s eligibility for the recent governorship election in the state.

It would be recalled that the courts in Ekiti State were shut down last month after thugs alleged to be loyal to Fayose invaded the premises of the headquarters of the State Judiciary.

It was reported that the thugs had beaten up two judges – J.A. Adeyeye and I.A. Ogunyemi – during the invasion between September 22 and 24, forcing the state Chief Judge, Ayodeji Daramola, to petition the NJC, accusing the governor-elect of being behind the incidents.

Few days after, Fayose petitioned the NJC alleging that the judges had been bribed by the outgoing governor, Kayode Fayemi and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to give judgement against him in the case.

It was gathered that the NJC directed that the governor-elect be made to appear to explain his role in the attack of the judges and the state judiciary while those involved in the attack be dealt with in accordance with the law.

However, an attempt to re-open the courts by Daramola was frustrated by the State Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu and others, believed to be acting on the orders of the Presidency.

Investigation conducted by Premium Times revealed that the Presidency had directed some top security officials in Ekiti State to ensure that the courts do not open to prevent any judgement on the matter.

Police authorities are now claiming that a bomb had been planted inside the court premises to justify its continued closure, sources told newsmen.

“Based on this spurious bomb threat, they locked up the gates and used Army trucks to block the roads and prevent access,” a source informed.

“They reportedly met subsequently to review their strategy and agreed to fully implement the order from the Presidency to shut down the courts.

“In fact now, soldiers have also been stationed outside the capital Ado Ekiti to man other court premises in what is a total clampdown on the judiciary.

“This gangsterism against the judiciary portends great danger and only the judiciary can put an end to it,” another source stated.

Meanwhile, while confirming the continued closure of courts in Ekiti, Lakanu refused to say who gave the order.

“Yes, it (court) will remain shut until October 15 or 16. I’m presently there,” the commissioner said in a telephone interview Thursday evening.

Commenting on who gave the order, Lakanu said, “That I cannot be able to speak.”

However, the APC Chairman in the state, Jide Awe condemned the police and the military, for flouting the directive of the NJC.

“The headquarters of the courts has been sealed off even though NJC gave an order that court should resume,” Awe told Premium Times.

“The courts have been sealed off and the military are now there, but we don’t know on whose orders.

“It is lamentable. If the president is our Commander-in-Chief, then your information may be true. As far as we are concerned we don’t know on whose orders.

“A president who knows the rule of law and the importance of the judiciary should know the implications of what is happening. What we are experiencing is in abeyance with the rule of law.

“It is not good for the entire country, not only Ekiti. People that are aggrieved should be allowed to go to court and be heard. They beat judges up, tore their suits, scatter their offices. Even Jesus Christ was humble in the way he treated the Pilate how much more a mortal of the 21st century.”