Court Attack: Ekiti CP Summons APC, PDP Chairmen To Peace Parley, Arraign Six

policeCommissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Taiwo Lakanu, has summoned the chairmen of the All Progressives Congress, Jide Awe, and that of the Peoples Democratic Party, Makanjuola Ogundipe, over Monday’s attack at the State High Court, Ado-Ekiti.

At a peace meeting held in his office in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the police boss advised the two major parties in the state to talk to their supporters to avoid a reoccurrence of the violence and subsequent disruption of court proceedings witnessed on Monday.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Victor Babayemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Lakanu charged the party chieftains to prevail on supporters to eschew violent and embrace peace.

“He also reminded the chieftains that the state is greater than any individual hence; no person or group of persons will be allowed to truncate the peace of the state under any guise. The CP vowed to do all that is legally permitted to prevent a reoccurrence.

“The Chairman of APC, Chief Jide Awe and his PDP counterpart, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe both agreed that nothing positive can be achieved in the atmosphere of commotion, and therefore, promised to talk to their supporters to be peaceful and law abiding.

“They equally vowed to cooperate with the police by towing the part of justice at all times”.

Meanwhile, the command on Tuesday arraigned six persons arrested in connection with the violence before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court.

They are Raji Wasiu (23), Ogunlana (28), Fasusi George (38), Arogbuwa Diya (35), Adewumi Gbenga (30) and Adewumi Kehinde (44).

The accused were arraigned over a five count of conspiracy to obstruct the cause of justice, attempt to obstruct and prevent the cause of justice, causing disturbance in cause of judicial proceedings, committing an act of intentional disrespect to a sitting judge and malicious damage.

According to the First Information Report, the alleged offences are contrary and punishable under Sections 126 (1 and 2), 133 (3 and 9) and 451 of Criminal Code, cap C 16, laws of Ekiti State 2012.

Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Oriyomi Akinwale, said the accused persons committed the offence on September 22 at about 12pm at the Ado-Ekiti High Court.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Upon hearing the bail application by their counsel, Mr. Kola Kolade, and counter argument from Oriyomi, the presiding Magistrate, Modupe Afeniforo, admitted the accused persons to N100,000 bail each and two sureties in like sum.

She added that one of the sureties must be a civil servant on grade level 12 or must be a property owner with evidence of tax clearance.

The case was adjourned till October 22 for further hearing.