Despite the order by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Ayodeji Daramola, for the opening of courts, but still locked as at yesterday.

The courts failed to open due to the ongoing strike by civil servants in the state, including judiciary staff. The workers are on strike over the delay in payment of their salaries and deductions.

Even the election petitions tribunal, which was supposed to sit yesterday over a petition filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, challenging the election of Mr. Ayodele Fayose, could not sit owing to the development.

Following the invasion of a court and assault on a high court judge by mobs in Ado Ekiti, Justice Daramola had on September 25 ordered closure of the state courts till the security of the judges and judicial workers could be guaranteed.

The chief judge, working on the directive of the National Judicial Commission, NJC, at its meeting in Abuja on Monday, had in a statement by the Chief Registrar, Barrister Obafemi Fasanmi, instructed the opening of the courts for pending cases to proceed without hindrance.

The statement had advised persons having one case or the other to pursue at the courts to use the opportunity to come back for adjudication.

Security personnel, who had earlier been keeping vigil at the state high court complex, were still in their formations yesterday to ensure maintenance of peace.

Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the state police command, Victor Babayemi, said the courts had been opened for use.

But he said the continued presence of armed personnel at the judiciary headquarters was in accordance with the directive of the National Judicial Council, NJC, to the Acting Inspector-General of Police that adequate security is provided for judges and staff in Ekiti courts.