The Ogun State High Court in Ilaro witnessed a personnel of the Department of State Service (DSS) intrude the court, seized two defendants despite warnings from the presiding judge, Justice AA Shobayo, thereby desecrating and interrupting the court process. The defendants, identified as Alhaji Isiaka Fatai and Samuel Oyero, were entangled in a legal matter designated HCP/IC/2023 involving the State and Awode Oladosu & 13 others. This lawsuit emanated from a recent upheaval in the Agosasa community within the Ipokia Local Government Area, precipitated by a chieftaincy dispute resulting in substantial property destruction and loss of life.
In the midst of ongoing court proceedings, DSS operatives arrived at the court premises and detained the suspects, disregarding the judge’s instructions. Alhaji Isiaka’s legal representative, Kehinde Bamiwola, leveled accusations against the DSS personnel, alleging physical aggression towards the defendants. Bamiwola detailed instances of Alhaji Isiaka Fatai enduring beatings, slaps, and other forms of mistreatment at the hands of the operatives. Omololu Olusanya, the Principal Registrar of the High Court and Sectional Head of High Court in Ilaro, corroborated Bamiwola’s claims, condemning the incident as a blatant violation of legal protocol. Despite clear directives against making arrests within the court premises, the operatives persisted, going so far as to assault a member of the court staff.
Olusanya expressed bewilderment at the behavior exhibited by the DSS personnel, remarking that their appearance did not conform to the typical attire or demeanor of law enforcement agents. He disclosed that they approached the judge prior to the commencement of proceedings but disregarded advice against conducting arrests within the court’s jurisdiction. Efforts to elicit a response from the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, proved futile as calls and messages went unanswered during the compilation of this report.
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