The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Kayode Fayemi, has declared a 7:00pm to 7:00am curfew in the state after thugs on Friday took to the streets burning houses and looting.

Friday’s violence followed the killing of a former Ekiti State chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Omolafe Aderiye, who was killed in his office in Ijigbo area of the state capital, Ado-Ekiti.

Reports said that Mr Aderiye was shot at close range in his office.

He is reported to have died before medical attention could get to him.

The former NURTW chairman was believed to be a staunch supporter of the governor-elect, Mr Ayo Fayose and took active part in his campaign coordination.

Earlier on Thursday, the inaugural sitting of Ekiti State election petition tribunal in Ado Ekiti was on Thursday disrupted as the meeting was invaded by some thugs, who beat up a judge, Justice John Adeyeye, and prevented journalists from performing their duties.

The tribunal was to begin proceedings on the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the victory of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ayodele Fayose, before the thugs intercepted the process.

The tribunal panel, headed by Justice Mohammed Suraju, resumed the first inaugural sitting with the counsel to the petitioners led by Rotimi Akeredolu.

The sitting was, however, adjourned to October 14, 2014 following the debacle.

It took the intervention of the State Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu, to rescue the chairman of the panel and his team from the court.

The Commissioner of Police has given assurances of the safety of the judges and smooth tribunal proceedings.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad Siraj, has advised all counsels to warn their clients to allow them do their job.

•Credit (except headline): Channels TV. Photo shows property set ablaze by rioters . . . this morning in Ado-Ekiti.