The Edo State Government has raised the alarm that some opposition members, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP), were mobilising unscrupulous elements to besiege the Benin High Court on Monday (today) to intimidate lawyers and the judges on official duties.
Speaking to journalists in Benin on Sunday, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, joined by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, warned against any move to thwart the peace in the state.
Nehikhare and Osagie alleged actions by certain elements in the opposition APC and Labour Party and their supporters to besiege the Benin High Court to intimidate lawyers and the judges on official duties, categorically stating the Obaseki-led administration will not tolerate or allow any group of persons/politicians from the APC and Labour Party to cause chaos in Edo 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 on Monday.”
The Edo Commissioner for Communication and Orientation further maintained that judiciary independence must always be guaranteed.
He said, “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.”
He said 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,” he added.
On his part, Mr. Osagie said intelligence gathered revealed that the APC and LP were sponsoring protests to intimate the judiciary.
While calling on security agencies to be on alert for any breakdown of law and order within the Benin High Court, Osagie added that Edo Government will 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 en masse on September 21st for the governorship election to support the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to sustain the gains of the government in the past seven years.
