The Osun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused those running from justice as the likely culprit behind the burning of a courtroom in Ilesa in the early hours of today, warning that no amount of violence will stave off the course of justice.
The PDP in a statement issued by its media office on Monday, strongly condemned the incident of targeting courts’ with violence to frustrate justice from taking hold, noting that the latest incident underscores the extent that those who are adamant on hijacking powers through the backdoor are willing to go to achieve their evil scheme.
Hon. Sunday who supported the call by Governor Ademola Adeleke for a thorough investigation by security agents to fish out the perpetrators, however, observed that the timing of the unfortunate arson on court is an indication that some forces are seriously adverse to justice.
“It is quite disturbing to note that the lust for power has descended into this dangerous level of targeting courts’ with violence. That Ilesa court was the choice of the arsonists says a lot especially when there is a pending suit on the local governments dispute before it,” Hon. Bisi noted in a statement.
“While politicians can tussle for power, it is totally unacceptable to target the judiciary, one of the pillars of democracy, for violence just to avoid justice. This is a dangerous signal for our democracy and every conscientious citizens must rise up against the reckless approach of a few politicians to reach for power.”
Hon. Bisi said only those who have committed crimes and have no justifiable reasons for their actions will be afraid of the courts’ to the point of torching it down, calling on the judiciary in the state to resist the subtle threat to make them circumvent the cause of justice.
“As a party that believes in the judiciary as a means of resolving dispute in a democracy, we reject this open attempt to frustrate lawful approach of fighting illegality. If not for the Easter break embarked upon by the judiciary, the several cases launched against illegal occupiers of local government secretariats would have commences and we believe that was what those who burned down the courtroom in Ilesa is trying to stop as resumption is drawing closer,” he said.
“As if forceful takeover of secretariats is not despicable enough, burning courtroom to stop cases from going ahead highlight the impunity of the usurper. This attitude is beginning to create a sense of doubt in the minds of Osun people, and indeed, the larger Nigeria society, whether we’re still in a democracy because certain people behaved as if they are above the law due to external backing. Not even under the military is this kind of attitude against the judiciary tolerated.”
