Suspected Fayose loyalists harass judge in Ekiti

The violence that broke out at the state high court in Ekiti on Monday was replicated on Thursday, as suspected thugs loyal to governor-elect of the state, Ayodele Fayose, harassed Justice John Adeyeye and disrupted the sitting of the governorship election petition tribunal.

Following Monday’s incident, the police arrested six of the suspected thugs and arraigned them in court the following day.

Fayose subsequently addressed the media on the issue, denying having a hand in the attack.

“It is regrettable that the process in the court was disrupted … I don’t know the people involved,” he said.

“I just want you to know that I avoided responding to a number of issues but it is good to let Nigerians get the true picture of what is happening in Ekiti.”

But a similar situation played out on Thursday when the tribunal was about to continue its sitting on the June 21 election.

The thugs had reportedly attacked the judge in the presence of Fayose, forcing the court workers to lock up their offices and flee for safety.

The sitting could no longer hold, as policemen took over the premises of the court, firing tear gas canisters to disperse the thugs and onlookers.

Meanwhile, Fayose has approached the court of appeal in the state capital to challenge the powers of the state high court to hear a case challenging his eligibility to contest the June 21 governorship election.

In a notice of appeal filed by his team of lawyers led by Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), Fayose accused the trial judge of denying him fair hearing.

He also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to allow the speaker of the state house of assembly to assume governorship of the state upon the expiration of the tenure of incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi on October 20.