Hoodlums hold journalists hostage in Osun court premises

Some journalists were held hostage on Tuesday within the premises of the Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State.

The court heard applications for and against the bail of a member of Osun Park Management System, Olalekan Oyeyemi, also known as Emir.

Oyeyemi, popularly known as ‘Emir’ and an ally of the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has been on trial on a 10-count charge of conspiracy, malicious damage, unlawful killing and acts of terrorism.

Emir had pleaded not guilty, while his counsel, Edmund Biriomoni, filed a formal bail application for his release which was opposed by Francis Osei, who held brief for the prosecutor, Usman.

The prosecution had filed a counter application, asking the court not to consider the defendant’s plea for bail.

The hoodlums, who had thronged the court in large numbers, held some journalists covering the matter hostage within the court premises after the presiding judge adjourned the matter.

The hoodlums, who identified some of the journalists while the court was in session, threatened to attack them after the proceedings.

The affected journalists involved could not leave the premises for about 40 minutes after adjournment.

However, rescue came when some police operatives deployed to the premises escorted the journalists out of the court after the hoodlums, who converged under a tree outside the court, were ordered to vacate the area.

Meanwhile, the trial judge, Justice N. Ayo-Emmanuel, reserved the ruling on the applications, saying the date of the next sitting would be communicated to the parties in the matter.