Tension erupted on Tuesday at the Lagos State High Court premises following an incident in which a lawyer, Mr. Obinna Okereke, Principal Partner of High Refuge Attorneys, allegedly assaulted a judiciary staff member, Mrs. Temilola Ossai.
Witnesses said the confrontation began after Okereke’s champagne gold Toyota Sienna reportedly brushed against Mrs. Ossai near the court entrance. The victim, who was walking toward the courthouse, reportedly asked the lawyer to apologise for the incident.
However, according to onlookers, the situation escalated when Okereke allegedly became enraged, hurled verbal insults at her, and struck her several times in the face.
The attack was said to have caused visible injuries, including bleeding from her nose and mouth, prompting bystanders to intervene. Security personnel attached to the judiciary later apprehended the lawyer and handed him over to the police.
“The woman only asked for an apology after he hit her car,” one eyewitness recounted. “He suddenly got angry and started shouting before punching her repeatedly. It was shocking to watch.”
The altercation briefly disrupted activities within the court complex as staff and security officials rushed to the scene.
Judiciary sources confirmed that the Chief Registrar directed that a formal report be filed at the Area F Police Command for investigation and possible legal action.
Efforts to reach Mr. Okereke for his reaction were unsuccessful as of press time, while Mrs. Ossai was said to have received medical attention after the assault.
An official statement from the Lagos State Judiciary was still being awaited.
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