Emmanuel Thomas l Wednesday, October 08, 2025
IKEJA, Lagos – A scene of high drama and violence unfolded at the Lagos State High Court premises on Tuesday when a lawyer, Mr. Obinna Okereke, allegedly assaulted a staff of the Lagos State Judiciary, Mrs. Temilola Ossai, following a minor traffic incident.
Mr. Okereke, the Principal Partner of High Refuge Attorneys, was reportedly driving a champagne gold-coloured Toyota Sienna bus near the court entrance when he allegedly struck Mrs. Ossai by the roadside.
According to eyewitness accounts, the situation quickly escalated when Mrs. Ossai, who was on her way to the courthouse, approached the lawyer to request an apology for the collision. Instead of offering an apology, sources indicate Okereke allegedly became aggressive, verbally insulted her, and then violently assaulted her.
”The lady only asked him to say sorry after he hit her with the car. But he suddenly flared up, shouting at her, and before we knew it, he punched her severally in the face. It was terrible — blood started coming out of her nose and mouth,” recounted an eyewitness who requested anonymity.
The impact of the assault reportedly caused blood to gush from Mrs. Ossai’s nose and mouth, alarming onlookers. Passersby and court users quickly intervened to pull the lawyer away before security personnel attached to the Lagos State Judiciary arrived and arrested him at the scene.
The incident caused a temporary disruption to normal court activities as staff and security officers gathered.
Reports confirm that the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State Judiciary has directed that a formal complaint be lodged against Mr. Okereke at the Area F Command of the Nigeria Police for investigation and potential prosecution.
Mrs. Ossai is understood to have received first aid treatment following the assault. Efforts to reach Mr. Okereke for his comments were unsuccessful at the time of publication, and the Lagos State Judiciary has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
