Tension gripped the Lagos State High Court premises on Tuesday when a lawyer, Obinna Okereke, Principal Partner of High Refuge Attorneys, allegedly assaulted a judicial officer, Temilola Ossai, after his vehicle brushed her near the court’s entrance.
Okereke, who drove a champagne gold-coloured Toyota Sienna, was said to have hit Ossai, a staff member of the Lagos State Judiciary, as she walked by the roadside. Witnesses said the officer approached the lawyer, requesting an apology.
Instead of offering remorse, the lawyer allegedly flared up, hurled insults at her and launched a physical attack. Eyewitnesses who spoke with Daily Post claimed he landed multiple blows to her face, causing her to bleed profusely from the nose and mouth.
An eyewitness said, “The lady only asked him to apologise after the vehicle hit her. Suddenly, he got angry and started shouting. Before anyone could react, he punched her repeatedly in the face. It was shocking, blood was coming out of her nose and mouth.”
The incident caused panic within the court premises, with staff and litigants gathering at the scene in disbelief. The proceedings were briefly disrupted as security personnel rushed to the scene.
Operatives attached to the Lagos State Judiciary quickly restrained Okereke and took him into custody to prevent further escalation.
Sources stated that the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State Judiciary immediately directed a formal complaint to be filed at the Area F Police Command for investigation and possible prosecution.
Ossai, who was left injured after the assault, reportedly received immediate first aid treatment.
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