Robbers Raid Osun High Court Opposite Govt House, Loot Shops

By Segun Adeyemo

A Complex housing the Osun State High Courts and Magistrate Courts in Osogbo was on Thursday raided by some suspected robbers.

The robbers carted away undisclosed amount of money from the office of the court’s cashier, and they looted some shops in the complex.

The complex was directly opposite the Osun State Government House, housing Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Deputy Governor Titi-Laoye Tomori, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.

CityMirrorNews learnt that the robbers gained entry into the High Court Complex through a thick forest behind the complex and were also aided with darkness that covered it because of the non availability of electricity in the complex.

Sources disclosed to CityMirrorNews that the High Court Complex fence had also collapsed for over a year and it has not been re-constructed.

The robbers also broke into some shops located in the courts’ premises and stole various wares.

Some workers of the High court who spoke with CityMirrorNews  under condition of anonymity, said the robbers stole some huge amount of money from the office of the High court cashier before raiding other offices and outlets within the premises.

They said: ” Cashier had brought some huge amount of money to the office on Wednesday evening and was expected to be taken to the bank this morning (Thursday).

“I think the robbers came for the money and also used the opportunity to raid some shops in the court premises. They broke the cashier’s office door. When we all resumed work this morning, we heard the cashier crying and calling for help.

“As the cashier was lamenting, some shop owners, while attempting to open their shops, discovered that their shops have been looted. It is a sad day for us in this court.”

Also, a trader whose shop was broken into by the suspected robbers told our correspondent that she discovered that the padlock was damaged.

The trader who identified herself as Mrs. Sunday said, “When I came this morning around 8am, I saw staff of the High court discussing in groups and when I asked what was wrong, I was told some robbers came and robbed the court.

“I never thought they touched my shop until I attempted to open it and I discovered that the padlock had been damaged. They stole my provisions and broke some crates of eggs while attempting to gain entrance. “

It was discovered that a shop that sells lawyers’ robes and books as well as a photocopy shop were amongst the shops burgled.

The High Court Registrar, Mr. Lawrence Arojo, confirmed the robbery but refused to disclose the actual amount stolen.

Arojo said: “Yes, the court was attacked by some robbers and we have reported it to the police. They have been here to carry out investigations. This is all I can tell you.”

CityMirrorNews learnt that the four night guards on duty during the robbery attack had been arrested by the police.

The Acting Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Egbedele Ajibade, said he was not aware of the arrest of the night guards, but promised to get back to our correspondent.

But some staff of the state judiciary blamed the robbery attack on the few security men guarding the state High court premises at night.