Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged the Ekiti State Police Command to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore in Ado-Ekiti. The incident occurred at a restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti on Friday, 30 October. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, stated that the attackers were known and should be brought before a magistrates’ court in the state capital without delay.
The Ekiti State Police Command announced that officers had arrested 11 suspects in connection with the incident. The command said it was investigating their possible roles and seeking to identify others involved. Police spokesperson Abutu Sunday said officers arrested the 11 suspects in the Atikankan area of the state capital at about 10 p.m. on Friday, following a tip-off. The command announced the arrests the following day.
Sowore alleged that people connected to the Ekiti State Government were involved in the attack, but the government denied the allegation. In a statement signed by the governor’s chief press secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, the government said it had no connection with the incident and would leave the determination of the facts to the appropriate authorities. Falana welcomed the government’s call for an investigation.
Falana linked the Sowore attack to earlier cases of violence in Ekiti, including the killings of Dr Ayo Daramola, Tunde Omojola, and Kehinde Fasuba. He said the men were killed because of political differences and alleged that members of the group responsible also threatened other prominent people in the state. Falana said suspects were arrested and charged before the Ekiti State High Court, but alleged that politically connected interests compromised the cases.
The lawyer also drew attention to a separate case involving the death of Sunday Ogunsakin after an alleged attack in Afao-Ekiti on 14 September. Falana asked the state Ministry of Justice to take over the case involving Joseph Rotimi Olabiowonu, also known as Metilo, and Opeyemi Adedoyin, and bring charges of abduction, torture, and murder before the High Court.
According to Falana, Olabiowonu and Adedoyin went to Ogunsakin’s home during a dispute over land, assaulted him, and took him away in a vehicle. He alleged that Ogunsakin was pushed from the moving vehicle and sustained severe head injuries. Police said Ogunsakin was taken to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, where a doctor confirmed his death.
The police had announced the arrest of Olabiowonu and Adedoyin in September and brought them before a magistrates’ court in Ado-Ekiti. The magistrate ordered their remand in a correctional facility pending legal advice from the state Attorney-General, despite pressure from influential interests.
Key points
- Femi Falana demands trial for those responsible for attacking Omoyele Sowore.
- Ekiti State Police Command arrests 11 suspects in connection with the Sowore attack.
- Falana links Sowore attack to earlier cases of violence in Ekiti State.
