Ministers in the temple of Justice, including judges, magistrates and lawyers exhibited palpable fear at the Port Harcourt Magistrate Court Premises on Tuesday when a mass influx of ex-militants at the gate almost disrupted proceedings.
The ex-militants had come to witness the court proceeding over the state prosecution of the alleged suspected killers of late Soboma George, their don.
According to an eye witness, the ex-militnts who peacefully conducted themselves had stormed the court premises en mass to hear the proceedings of the court on the prosecution of the alleged killers of Soboma George.
Meanwhile, before their arrival, the gate to the court had already been closed to the general public for security reasons. However, due to the overwhelming interest of the ex-militants to know the state of the matter in court, as their prayer was for God Almighty and government of Rivers State to do justice to the suspected killers of their late don, they thus remonstrated in no unmistakable teams the closure of the gate.
As minutes ticked away and it was obvious that the militants might no longer brook any inhibition towards seeing the court proceedings live, as already they were beginning to say “oya shoot us, shoot us,” as they surged forward and pushed the gate open, the armed-trigger-ready mobile policemen had no option than to capitulate and open the gate for them to satisfy their curiosity and eagerness.
Some ministers of the temple of justice who were already in court for their clients and cases quickly applied for adjournment while others in fear and apprehension immediately went for compulsory day leave since nobody knows what could happen in the next couple of minutes.
Though the demonstration of the ex-militants was peaceful and well organized without rancor, they still unleashed security threats on the major roads and streets of Port Harcourt. The day came and went without any threat to peace as they finally moved to their various destinations demanding speedy justice on the suspects.
Recall that late Soboma George was gunned down by assassins in Port Harcourt under some controversial circumstances as he was buying groundnuts after watching a football match.
The suspected killers were later apprehended and paraded by the police. ###
Alakpakabie Tobin
