The Edo State government, yesterday, raised the alarm that some members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) were mobilising unscrupulous elements to beseige the Benin High court today to intimidate lawyers and the judges on official duties.
Briefing newsmen in Benin, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, flanked by the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, warned against any move to jeopardise the peace in the state.
The duo said that the Obaseki-led administration will not tolerate or allow any group of persons /politicians from the APC and LP to cause chaos in the state.
Nehikhare called on parents and guardians to caution their wards against being used to foment trouble, adding: “Edo State government will not tolerate hoodlums in any guise to gather or match towards the court intimidating judges and lawyers tomorrow (today).’’
According to the Commissioner, the independence of the judiciary must be always guaranteed.
“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.”
“We also call on parents to protect their children from being exploited by persons who want to disrupt the peace for political gains.”