Suspected hoodlums on Thursday invaded and sacked the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state during the hearing into the pre-election suit between the candidates of the All Progressive Congress(APC), Chief Abel Ebifemowei and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Cleopas Moses ahead of the Saturday’s senatorial bye-election in the state.
The invasion, which occurred at about 1.30pm while the presiding judge, Justice Jane Inyang was not on seat , caused pandemonium with many lawyers injured in the stampede.
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It was gathered that the suit, which was stood down by Justice Jane Inyang to allow parties to regularise their processes, 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.
He said: “The hoodlums were about twenty in number and armed with dangerous weapons. They seize 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 the hoodlums were political thugs, saying, ” We thank God the judge was not on seat. There was poor security around the premises. ”
When Daily Trust visited the court premises after the incident, two police patrol vehicles were stationed in front of the Court premises located at Onopa area of the State capital.
Police spokesman in the state, AP Asinim Butswat could not be reached as at the time of filing the report as he was not picking his calls or reply a text message sent to him.
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