Ika Youths Besiege Delta Assembly, Demand Justice For Politician

PHOTO: PROTESTING YOUTHS AT THE DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY TODAY, JULY 20, 2010.

ASABA, July 20, (THEWILL) – The decision of the Supreme Court to hear and deliver judgment on September 23, 2010 on the suit filed by embattled Delta State Speaker, Mr. Martin Okonta has not eased the agitation of youths from Ika South Local Government Area who today stormed the premises of the Delta State House of Assembly condoning off the entrance for a while.

The protesters were demanding for the immediate swearing-in of Mr. Kingsley Phillips, who an Appeal Court declared the rightful candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state legislature election for Ika South Constituency in the 2007 election.

But Mr. Okonta proceeded to the Supreme Court to appeal the ruling and obtain a stay of proceedings order which the apex court declined to issue, instead, opting to entertain and deliver judgment on the suit on September 23, 2010.

The youths who had gotten wind of the House sitting billed for 10:00 AM arrived the Assembly complex as early as 8:00 AM overpowering the few security men at the entrance and charged into the chambers before marching around the complex.

Shortly after marching through various offices in the complex the protesters took to the Assembly gate entrance where the road was barricaded with burning tyres and sticks.

Addressing the protesters, leader of the anti-riot policemen drafted to the Assembly complex, DSP Fabelurin Wole appealed for calm.

The DSP who warned against any act of lawlessness by the protesters advised the protesters to channel their grievances through the rightful and lawful means and not by infringing on rights of other persons.

It would be recalled that the protesters last week Tuesday seized the Agbor-Benin expressway protesting the non-swearing in of Mr. Phillips until the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area, Mr. S.E. Danmanman dispersed them from the high way.