There was a mild drama on Monday at the hearing of the crisis that rocked Agosasa a town in Ipokia local government area of Ogun State when operatives of the Department of State Services reportedly stormed a high court sitting in Ilaro, Ogun State and disrupt the sitting.
It was gathered that the DSS operatives reportedly invaded the court and whisked away two defendants, Alhaji Fatai Isiaka and One Samuel Oyero, who are standing as defendants in the Agosasa crisis, while the case being presided over by Justice A. A. Shobayo, was on going .
It could be recalled that Agosasa was recently enmeshed in crisis, with property worth billions of naira destroyed with one life lost over an Obaship tussle in the town.
The Monday court invasion by DSS which happened 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, also known as Socopao.
According to a statement from the counsel to Alhaji Isiaka, Kehinde Bamiwola Esq., who was also an eyewitness.
It was gathered 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 the 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 carrying out the arrest. 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 court , and disrupted proceedings were up to eight as they all covered their faces with hood.
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 weapons 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 on; 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.”
