Presidency Orders Ekiti Courts Shut Until After Fayose’s Inauguration

There were strong indications Thursday that the Presidency has given orders to the military and the police to keep the courts in Ekiti State shut until the inauguration of the state governor-elect, Ayo Fayose on October 16.

The move, which counters the directive of the National Judicial Council, NJC, to the courts to resume on Wednesday, is aimed at ensuring the inauguration of the governor-elect without any inhibition by way of injunction or judgment in the ongoing case challenging Mr. Fayose’s eligibility for the recent governorship election in the state.

The courts in Ekiti were shut down last month following the invasion of the premises of the headquarters of the State Judiciary by thugs allegedly loyal to Mr. Fayose, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the poll.

The thugs had beaten up two judges – J.A. Adeyeye and I.A. Ogunyemi – during the invasion between September 22 and 24, forcing the state Chief Judge, Ayodeji Daramola, to petition the NJC, accusing the governor-elect of being behind the incidents.