‘Okada Rider’ Allegedly Assaults Customary Court Judge In Delta

The Presiding Judge of the Customary Court in Ovwia, Delta State, was reportedly molested by a commercial motorcycle rider, popularly known as ‘Okada Rider’ on Monday.

The Judge had reportedly engaged the service of the commercial motorcyclist due to lack of official transportation, before she was physically attacked by the motorcyclist in the full glare of the public at the court.

According to the Judge, disagreement started when the motorcyclist insisted on additional charge above the amount they both agreed initially.

According to the judge, the motorcyclist’s demand for more money followed the claim that the road to the court was bad.

An eyewitness confirmed that the bike man who wanted to play a fast one on the judge, claimed that the route to the court was bad and refused to return the remaining change paid to the Judge.

“The bike man wanted to dispossess the judge of her change. He rough-handled the her in front of the court but was unlucky as lawyers around the court premises rescued the Judge.

“Despite the unruly behaviour and caution, the bike rider was reluctant to return the change to the Judge and he was taken alongside his motorcycle to the police station by lawyers for police prosecution”, eyewitness confirmed.

Meanwhile, a human right activist, Omemiroro Maxwell Ogedegbe, confirmed the incident.

He lamented that the unfortunate incident exposed a deeper and more dangerous problem, the deplorable state of welfare and security of Judicial Officers in Delta State.

According to Ogedegbe, it is both alarming and unacceptable that a Judicial Officer must share tricycles and commercial motorcycles with litigants, suspects and members of the public whose matters are pending before their courts.

He called on the Delta State Government to act urgently to adequately protect Judicial Officers, by providing them with official vehicles, security details and dignified working conditions befitting their constitutional status.

“Failure to do so sends a wrong signal to society and emboldens lawlessness, disrespect for courts, and attacks on the justice system itself.

“In a disturbing turn of events, the assault occurred right in front of the court premises, a place that ought to symbolise safety, order, and respect for the rule of law. The situation has now degenerated to outright assault,” Ogedegbe said.

He stressed that judges, who are constitutionally entrusted with the sacred duty of dispensing justice, resolving disputes, and maintaining societal order, are daily subjected to humiliation, insecurity, and unnecessary exposure to danger.

He maintained that a judge who is unsafe is a Judge under pressure, who is humiliated and whose authority is weakened, adding that a judiciary that is exposed is a judiciary at risk.

“The assault on this Judge should serve as a wake-up call. Justice must not only be done; those who dispense it must be protected, respected and secured. The time to act is now,” Ogedegbe stated.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edafe Bright, when contacted, pledged to find out the incident from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area and get back to our correspondent.