• Accuses Police of Bias

• Safiu Kehinde

Omoluabi Progressives group has accused former Osun state governor, Gboyega Oyetola of illegal detention of one of its member, Kamorudeen Oladepo, popularly known as Adabanija.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the group’s publicity secretary, Abosede Oluwaseun.

According to the statement, the Osun All Progressive Congress’ (APC) caucus disclosed that Adabanija was arrested on Thursday on the order of the former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy over a Facebook post.

The group also accused the Nigerian Police Force of unlawful detention of Adabanija.

It stressed that he has been detained for five days without prosecution or bail which contradicts the provision of the Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution.

“Omoluabi Progressives, a caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Osun State, notes with grave concern the continued incarceration by the Osun State Police Command one of our members, Kamorudeen Oladepo popularly known as Adabanija.

“Adabanija, a key figure in our tendency from Ara in Egbedore local government area of the state, was last Thursday arrested allegedly on the orders of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, over a Facebook post.

“We wish to state that while the Police is empowered by the law to carry out arrests in investigation of various reports from members of the public, we find it disturbing that Kamorudeen has been held in custody.

“Omoluabi Progressives is seeking the professional handling of the case according to constitutional provisions. It has been five (5) days that our man has been behind bars without prosecution or bail.

“Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that a suspect should not be detained more than 48 hours by the police. The suspect should either be charged to court or released on bail.

“The police have refused to charge Adabanija to court six days after his arrest on allegation of false information.

“This is unprofessional and a breach of his fundamental human rights. Adabanija has not committed a capital offence to warrant his continuous detention by the police.

“The police should not act as a political agent to victimise Adabanija because of his rejection of Oyetola’s political camp. Osun should not experience what the Police did in Rivers State.” The statement read.

While alleging that it is an attempt to victimize Adabanija for not joining Oyetola’s political camp, the group pointed out to the Police failure to act over death threat made by Oyetola’s spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, against ex-minister, Rauf Aregbesola.

Omoluabi Progressives further accused the police of being bias, while recalling previous arrest of members of the Osun APC faction in attempted witch-hunting by Oyetola.

“It also baffles us that the same law enforcement agent that refused to act when Oyetola’s spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, threatened Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with death, are the one flexing muscles on a case of suspected defamation. We make bold to say that the police have always been bias on cases between Osun APC camps of Aregbesola and Oyetola.

“The good people of Osun State will recall that on August 23, 2021, seven loyalists of the former Minister of Interior, were docked before a Magistrates Court sitting in Osogbo over alleged assault and conspiracy.

“Those docked include the then state All Progressives Congress caretaker Secretary, Rasaq Salinsile, former party Chairman and Leader of The Osun Progressives, TOP, Lowo Adebiyi and former Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Engr Kazeem Salami.

“Others are the current Commissioner for Political Affairs under Governor Ademola Adeleke, Dr. Biyi Odunlade, former Special Adviser on Taxation, Barr. Gbenga Akano, a member of the APC in Ilesa, Alaba Popoola and one Azeez Adekunle.

“It was after public outcry about the illegal arraignment that made former governor Oyetola order the discontinuation of the case, when it was glaring that it was all a political witch-hunt.

“We demand that Adabanija be charged to court if he has a case to answer or be released on bail immediately if the police does not have a case against him.” The statement read further.