On Tuesday, March 19, journalists covering a court hearing at the Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, found themselves held hostage within the premises.
The court was hearing applications regarding the bail of Olalekan Oyeyemi, also known as Emir, a member of the Osun Park Management System and an ally of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Emir is facing a 10-count charge including conspiracy, malicious damage, unlawful killing, and acts of terrorism, to which he pleaded not guilty.
During the proceedings, Emir’s counsel filed a bail application, opposed by the prosecution.
Hoodlums present at the court, recognizing some journalists, threatened them after the proceedings adjourned, holding them hostage within the premises.
The affected journalists were unable to leave for about 40 minutes until police operatives intervened and escorted them out after dispersing the hoodlums outside the court.
The trial judge, Justice N. Ayo-Emmanuel, reserved ruling on the applications, with the date for the next sitting to be communicated to the involved parties.
