[PHOTOs] Senatorial Bye-Election: Hoodlums Invade Court Ahead Of Judgment In Suit Seeking Disqualification Of APC Candidate In Bayelsa

Some unsuspected thugs on Thursday invaded the Federal  High Court, Onopa, Yenagoa disrupting court sittings. 

The source said this chaos arose based on the pre-election suit the Court was to hear between the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ebifemowei and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Cleopas Moses ahead of the December 5 National Assembly bye-election in the state.

The court was to give judgment in a suit seeking to disqualify the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District Bye-election billed to hold in two days time

It was also gathered that the presiding judge, Justice Jane Inyang was not on seat when the pandemonium started which caused many lawyers sustain several degrees of injuries in a stampede.

The source said some lawyers were beaten up and their phones were forcibly taken from them as well as some other items belonging to those in the court. 

An ongoing suit was stood down by Justice Jane Inyang to allow parties to regularise their processes and return, but lawyers and those at the court premises were, however, surprised when hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons attacked the court.

One of the victims and the former State Legal Adviser of the PDP, Barr. Richard Perekeme, who confirmed the development, said the lawyers were shocked and many scampered for safety.

“The hoodlums were about 20 in number and armed with dangerous weapons. They seized legal wigs from lawyers. They collected mobile phones and chased everyone out of Court two. Though, they did not take mine.”

He, however, could not confirm if they were political thugs,” We thank God the judge was not on seat. There was poor security around the premises. ”

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The source also revealed that the thugs attempted to attack the court but they were stopped by security agents around the court premises.

He said “The hoodlums were suspected to be political thugs who may have been sponsored by politicians in the state as preparation for the Senatorial election moves closer”