Saraki vs Sahara Reporters: Police arrest five persons for disturbing court hearing

They were arrested during the court proceedings in the case involving Senate President Bukola Saraki and an online platform, Sahara Reporters and its publisher, Mr. Omoyele Sowore. Sowore had approached the high court presided over by Justice Adeyinka Oyinloye through Falana and Falana Chambers, urging it to set aside its judgement of June 28, 2017. Oyinloye had awarded a N4bn judgement against the online medium and its publisher, Sowore, who were the defendants/respondents in the Suit No. KWS/23/2017. The judgement awarded was in favour of Saraki, who was the claimant/applicant. Speaking to journalists in Ilorin through the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, Addo said though there were normally policemen in court rooms, he had to order a reinforcement during the resumed sitting when he got information that some people were unruly and making the court premises appear riotous. He added that five suspects, including someone who claimed to be a journalist from an undisclosed medium, were arrested. The CP declined to disclose the identities of the suspects, saying investigation was still ongoing. Addo said, “We were invited to the court that there was a kind of commotion. Actually, we have our court police officers that were there. “We were aware that there were court proceedings between Sahara Reporters and the Senate President today. “Our policemen were there to ensure that there was peace and tranquility during the court process, but eventually, we heard that the place was becoming unruly and kind of riotous, so we had to send more policemen. “When I was informed, I directed that more policemen be deployed there. Five people were arrested and they are presently undergoing interrogation and investigation at the Criminal Investigation Department.”]]>