According to Premium Times
There was confusion at the premises of the Ekiti State High Court on Thursday morning as thugs believed to be loyal to the state Governor-elect, Ayodele Fayose, allegedly beat up a judge, Justice John Adeyeye, for being allegedly 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 โhis supportersโ 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.There are claims by some witnesses that Mr. Fayose personally slapped the judge but that could not independently verified by PREMIUM TIMES.
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.
Fayoseโs 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.
