Edo State Government on Sunday, raised the alarm that some elements in the state were planning to disrupt the court proceedings on Monday as the suit filed by some Engines (Dukes) against the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, over their (Enigies) suspension, comes up at a the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin.
The state government added that information at its disposal was to the effect that some members of the opposition parties in the state were mobilising unscrupulous elements to besiege the Benin High Court with a view to, intimidate lawyers and the judges on official duties.
Briefing newsmen in Benin on Sunday, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, flanked by the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, warned against any move to thwart the peace of the state under any guise.
The two top government functionaries alleged moves by certain elements in the opposition parties and their supporters to besiege the Benin High Court with a view to, intimidate lawyers and the judges on official duties, warning that the Obaseki-led administration would not tolerate or allow any group of persons or politicians from the opposition parties to cause chaos in the state.
Nehikhare called on parents and Guardians to caution their wards and Children against being used to foment trouble or cause violence, adding that “Edo state Government will not tolerate hoodlums in any guise to gather or match towards the court intimidating judges and lawyers tomorrow, Monday.”
According to the commissioner, the independence of the judiciary must be guaranteed at all times.
“The government is aware that some unscrupulous politicians are behind the plan to sponsor violence with the aim of disrupting the peace in the state to score cheap political points.
“We call on youths in the state not to allow themselves to be used to perpetuate violence and cause crisis in the state.
“We also call on parents to protect their children from being exploited by persons who want to disrupt the peace for political gains.
“The Edo State Government will take all lawful actions against any individual or group found to be involved in activities that undermine the peace in the state.
“We urge all law-abiding citizens to reject and ignore any calls to disrupt the peace in the State and to refrain from engaging in any actions that could jeopardize public order.
“It is only through respect for the law and due process that we can ensure a just and orderly society for all,” Nehikhare reiterated.
On his part, Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, said intelligence gathered revealed that the opposition parties were sponsoring protests to intimate the judiciary.
While calling on security agencies to be on the alert for any breakdown of law and order within the Benin High Court, Osagie added that the state government would not spare any effort to ensure justice is served in dealing with anyone caught protesting against the judiciary.
Osagie, who noted that Edo State had made significant progress under the watch of the Obaseki-led government tasked residents to come out in large numbers on September 21, 2024, for the governorship election to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to sustain the gains of the government in the past seven years.
