Election tribunal adjourned as thugs beat up judge

The inaugural sitting of Ekiti State election petition tribunal in Ado Ekiti was on Thursday disrupted as the meeting was invaded by some thugs, who beat up a judge, Justice John Adeyeye, and tried to prevent journalists from recording facts.

The tribunal was to begin proceedings on the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the victory of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ayodele Fayose.

The tribunal panel, headed by Justice Mohamed Suraju, resumed the first inaugural sitting with the counsel to the petitioners led by Rotimi Akeredolu.

The sitting was, however, adjourned to October 14, 2014 following the debacle.

It took the intervention of the State Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu, to rescue the chairman of the panel and his team from the court. The Commissioner of Police has given assurances of the safety of the judges and smooth tribunal proceedings.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad Siraj, has advised all counsels to warn their clients to allow them do their job.