There was bedlam at the High Court of Justice, Warri, Delta State on Thursday, as a mob invaded the court in which proceedings were ongoing in a suit by an Itsekiri prince challenging the selection of Prince Tsola Emiko as the Olu of Warri-designate.
Crises which had rocked the kingdom since Emiko’s emergence intensified on Thursday with the attack on the court which reportedly left the presiding judge, Justice V. O Agboje, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Efe Akpofure, other lawyers and litigants scampering for safety.
It was learnt that the emergence of the Omoba, son of Ogiame Atuwatse II (19th Olu of Warri), had polarized the Itsekiri before the mob invaded the court.
Prince Oyowoli Emiko, son of the late Olu Ikenwoli, and his uncle, Prince Bernard Emiko, had approached the court to challenge the processes that led that to his choice as the 21st Olu of the ancient stool.
However, it was learnt that pandemonium broke out on Thursday when women and youths, who were armed with green leaves and singing war songs, invaded the hallow premises of the court where the case was instituted.
Scudnews learnt that Prince Bernard Emiko, Olu Ikenwoli’s younger brother, in an affidavit supporting the suit, said that he is the Olori-Ebi (head) of Ogiame Erejuwa II (18th Olu) Ruling House.
He prayed the court to nullify the nomination and adoption of Prince Tsola Emiko as Olu-designate.
