The Better Bayelsa Initiative, a socio-political Organisation, has berated the action of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, who allegedly led thugs and armed men to disperse a Federal High Court in Session in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The group, in a statement issued in Yenagoa and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Tarila Obiene, lamented the action of the governor.

An online medium has published the video recording of the incident.

The statement reads thus:

“The Better Bayelsa Initiative is worried that at this time of our political development, a State Governor Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson could openly lead thugs in an act of brigandage to attack a Federal High Court in his Courtroom.

“The armed invasion of the Federal High Court and near mob killing of over Seventeen lawyers including a pregnant woman and two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) during the hearing into the suit between Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Evangelist Foster Ogola over the choice of candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Bayelsa West Senatorial district of the State is a big show of shame.

“The despicable act which was captured on video and went viral on the social media circulated on social media, clearly shows the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson actively engaging in the dishonourable acts. Elsewhere, such a man would have voluntarily resigned from his post, having been caught in the act.

“The thugs,according to eyewitness, mobbed the Honourable Justice I. E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa.

“The Counsel to Senator Lokpobiri, Selekeowei Larry, later told newsmen that the attack on the Court, which he confirmed was led by the State Governor,Hon. Seriake Dickson, was a “shameful act and a show intimidation against the judiciary.”

“Observation

“The BBI has observed, with disbelief, the disrespectful and intimidating posture and actions of the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson since assuming office about three years ago.

Unlike past Governors of the State, one would have thought that a man who as a Legal practitioner, has served as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General in the State, a Federal Lawmaker, and served on the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, would have known the value and maintain the sanctity of the Judiciary.

“It is an irony that a man, who rode to his governorship on the crest of several Court judgements would turn round to desecrate the same judiciary. A case of biting the fingers that fed him!

Dickson has violently violated the sanctity of the Judiciary and it is now up to the NBA, the NJC and other relevant bodies to mete out appropriate sanctions to him since he is also a Lawyer. If this is not done, the confidence of the public in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man will be greatly eroded and a lasting damage may have been done to the image of the third estate of the realm.

“Resolution

“1. In view of the observation above, the BBI condemn the action of the Governor Seriake Dickson and his show of disrespect to the Judiciary.

“2. We call on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to save the judiciary and set up a high powered inquiry into the incident.

“3. When found culpable, the Governor Seriake Dickson should be sanctioned and his “legal practitioner” status withdrawn.

“4. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other respected stakeholders in the Judicial arm of Government should call on the Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police to make public the report gathered following his order on the Bayelsa Police Command to arrest the “thugs” used by the Bayelsa Governor during the Judicial intimidation.”

•Photo shows Dickson

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