NJC Calls on IG to Prosecute Attackers of Judges in Ekiti

The National Judicial Council, NJC, has urged Suleiman Abba, the acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP, to take over the investigation of attack on judges in Ekiti State and make sure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
The NJC made the plea at its emergency meeting on Thursday, which came as a result of a petition filed by Ayodeji Daramola, Ekiti State Chief Judge, who accused Ayodele Fayose, the governor-elect, of leading thugs who attacked the court.

According to a statement by Soji Oye, NJC’s Acting Director of Information Unit, the council condemned the two attacks which took place on Monday, September 22 and Thursday 25, 2014.

“Following the recent unfortunate and worrisome incidents in Ekiti State Judiciary, particularly in the High Court Complex, Ado-Ekiti, the National Judicial Council held an Emergency Meeting on October 2, 2014, under the Chairmanship of Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar (GCON) and considered the various complaints and petitions forwarded to it. At the end of the meeting, Council decided as follows: In very strong terms condemned the attacks on the Judiciary and Judicial Officers in general across the country and in particular, the one carried out in High Court Complex, Ado-Ekiti, on September 22 and 25, 2014,” Oye said.

While urging the IG to take over the investigation of the case, Oye stressed the need to provide adequate security for judiciary officers in Ekiti state.

“ We requested the Inspector-General of Police to take over and investigate the alleged attacks on Hon. Justices John Adeyeye and Isaac Olusegun Ogunyemi, some members of staff of the court and vandalisation of property of the High Court of Justice, Ado-Ekiti and bring the culprits to justice. Requested the Inspector-General of Police to, as a matter of urgency, provide adequate security for judicial officers and the Judiciary in Ekiti State. All petitions forwarded by all parties to the council on the matter are being looked into,” Oye added.