Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has challenged Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to explain why his Chief Security Officer, CSP Ayodele Akinlua, allegedly warned that his safety could not be guaranteed hours before he and members of his team were attacked in Ado-Ekiti.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 30, at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti, where Sowore and his team were attacked by more than 100 armed men, leaving them injured and robbed.
Sowore made the demands in a statement responding to a press release issued by the Ekiti State Government on October 31, following the attack. He alleged that the governor’s administration was attempting to dismiss the incident instead of addressing the allegations and seeking justice for those injured.
The activist accused the state government of having links with Sola Adenijo, popularly known as Solar, whom he alleged was the leader of the gang responsible for the attack. He challenged Oyebanji’s administration to disclose whether Adenijo received payments, contracts, appointments, stipends, or other financial benefits from the government.
Sowore also demanded the immediate preservation and public release of CCTV footage showing the attack and events leading up to it. He called on the state government and relevant authorities to secure the complete recordings from Tawakalitu Restaurant and surrounding premises, preserve the original files, and make the relevant footage available to the public without alteration.
The Ekiti State Police Command had announced on Saturday, October 31, that 11 suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack. The suspects were identified as Joseph Tayo, Olatunji Abayomi, Isaac Amba, Kehinde Ajigbana, Tosin David, Solomon Iyanu, Ogunsola Ayomide, Ojo Ayodeji, Kayode Dada, Segun Olatunji, and Salami Emmanuel.
Reacting to the arrests, Sowore argued that apprehending the suspected attackers would not be enough if those who allegedly planned, financed, and coordinated the operation were not identified and prosecuted. He questioned the police’s initial description of the incident as an altercation, asking what had changed between the first statement and the announcement of the arrests.
Key points
- Omoyele Sowore challenges Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji to explain the alleged warning issued by his Chief Security Officer before the attack.
- Sowore accuses the state government of having links with the alleged gang leader, Sola Adenijo, and demands disclosure of any financial benefits.
- The activist demands the preservation and public release of CCTV footage showing the attack and events leading up to it.
