President Bola Tinubu's Senior Special Assistant on Student Engagement, Sunday Adedayo Asefon, has been accused of threatening his estranged wife, Damilola Tunmise Asefon, over a police petition alleging brutal assault on their 10-year-old daughter. According to sources close to the family, Asefon warned his wife against returning home following the petition submitted to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police. The petition seeks an investigation and prosecution over the alleged assault that reportedly left their daughter bleeding from her ears and head.
The development comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Damilola and her children following the allegations against the presidential aide, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). Sources claim that Asefon's family members have been holding meetings over the petition and allegedly threatening to deal with his estranged wife wherever they see her. A family source revealed that Asefon's people are planning to take action against Damilola unless she does not return home.
Members of Asefon's family have allegedly been blackmailing Damilola, accusing her of leaking the petition to SaharaReporters and attempting to get her husband removed from his position as a presidential aide. However, SaharaReporters obtained the petition from police sources and not from Damilola. The family members reportedly argued that Asefon was merely disciplining his daughter over alleged misconduct on TikTok.
The petition submitted by the law firm A. J. Oguntuase & Co. on behalf of Damilola and their daughter accused Asefon of violently assaulting the child at their family residence in the Odo-Ado area of Ado-Ekiti. According to the petition, Asefon allegedly arrived at the residence without prior notice while Damilola was washing the children's clothes behind the house and attacked the girl. The lawyers alleged that the assault left the 10-year-old bleeding from her ears and head.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed the girl bleeding from her right ear while screaming in distress. The child was subsequently taken to the Odo-Ado Police Division and the Police Clinic in Ado-Ekiti for medical attention. In the petition, the lawyers described the alleged incident as child abuse, gender-based violence, and a violation of the fundamental human rights of the minor.
The petition also alleged that the incident was not an isolated case, accusing Asefon of repeatedly assaulting his wife and children. Part of the petition reads that Asefon had previously attacked Damilola, leaving her seriously injured and requiring hospital treatment. The petition stated that the earlier incident was reported to the then Commissioner of Police.
Nigerians have called for President Tinubu to sack Asefon as his aide, given the gravity of the allegations. The development has sparked widespread outrage, with many demanding action against Asefon. Key Points:
Key points
- Asefon accused of threatening estranged wife over police petition alleging assault on 10-year-old daughter.
- Petition alleges history of violence against wife and children.
- Nigerians call for President Tinubu to sack Asefon as his aide.
