Photo Caption:Picture of one Orisadare,inflicted with matchet cuts during the communal crisis in the town last April
Counsel to two defendants in the suit filed on the going communal crisis in Agosasa town in Ogun state ,K.H Bamigbola and Co, has cried out over the abduction of two of the defendants in a case of arson filed against them by one Akeem Adigun aka Socopao.
The suit emanated from the violent communal crisis which erupted in the two year old tussle over headship of the ancient town.
According to the press statement issued late on Monday, signed by Isiaka Kehinde Bamigbola, court proceedings was disrupted as operatives of the Department of State Services,DSS reportedly stormed a High court in Ilaro presided over by Honourable A A Sobayo with weapon.
The counsel alleged that the men of the DSS, disrupted the hearing of a case in the State versus Ayode Oladesu and 13 others and forcefully arresting Alhaji Fatai Isiaka and one Samuel Oyero.
In the abduction the men of the DSS used dangerous and sophisticated weapons to whisk away the duo contrary to established procedures thereby breaching all known laws.
This it stated is a flagrant abuse of state power and civil procedures
It will be recalled that the Inspector General of Police,Kayode Egbetokun had in March instructed Ogun Police Commissioner,CP Abiodun Alamutu,to intervene in the crisis by bringing the two warring factions in Agosasa town in Ipokia local government area of Ogun State.
Newdawnngr.com which has been on top of the story had earlier reported the crisis rocking the town where property worth billions of naira was destroyed with one life lost over the Obaship tussle in Agosasa.
The court invasion incident, which happened on Monday around 12:30 p.m., occurred during the trial of the case titled “The State vs Awode Oladosu & 13 others,” on allegations of arson brought forth by Chief Akeem Adigun, known as Socopao.
This is according to a statement on Monday obtained by Newdawnngr.com from the counsel to Alhaji Isiaka, Kehinde Bamiwola Esq., who was also an eyewitness.
The counsel alleged that the arrest of the two defendants was ‘forcibly’ made despite the judge’s clear instructions to maintain order and respect the sanctity of the court.
Confirming this incident, the Principal Registrar of the High Court and Sectional Head of High Court, Ilaro, Comrade Omololu Olusanya described the incident as shocking and a lack of respect for the rule of law.
According to him, the judge had ordered the operatives not to make any arrest within the court premises but can do that outside its premises.
But “they still went ahead and did the act to the extent that they assaulted one of our staff members, Mrs. Fadina, while doing that act. It’s a very sad issue that caused a lot of noise within the court premises,” he lamented.
According to him, the operatives who stormed the disrupted proceedings were up to eight as they were all wearing covered faces.He said, “the DSS operatives numbering eight.
They were wearing black with covered faces. They looked like criminals. “It was from the source that we heard they were DSS agents. If anybody sees them, one would think they were armed robbers.
They came with sophisticated guns and arrived in an unregistered white bus.”On how he identified them as DSS operatives, Olusanya said the operatives had earlier approached the judge and identified themselves.
He said, “They did not wear anything that identified them as DSS, but they came to my lord this morning and said they had some people to arrest. That was when we knew they were DSS officers.
“They approached the judge before the court session began. The honorable judge advised them that if they wanted to make an arrest, it must not be done within the court premises.
“They could stay outside and do whatever they wanted, but they refused that advice and carried out the arrest within the premises.
“The arrest was carried out while the proceedings were ongoing; the court had to adjourn because the noise was too much.
“It happened around 12:30 p.m., while the court was still in session.”
It will also be recalled that the rural town of Agosasa has not known peace since the last two years over the installation of Oba Azeez Akinpelu over Fadeyi Emmanuel Sunday Abogunrin and his supporters who felt it is their turn to produce the new Oba.
As at the time of filling this report,it is not known if the reconciliation process advice by the IG has taken place.
With Agency reports
