Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has named Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, and 10 other individuals for investigation over the attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti.
Sowore also demanded the immediate removal or suspension of the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, accusing the police command of attempting to cover up the incident following the arraignment of 11 suspects.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the activist made the demands in a statement published on his X account, where he described the arraignment of the suspects as a diversion from what he called an attempted assassination.
The attack occurred at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti on Friday, October 30, when Sowore and members of his team were reportedly assaulted ahead of the Ikogosi Marathon.
The Ekiti State Police Command had earlier announced the arrest of 11 suspects in connection with the incident.
According to the police, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad arrested the suspects at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti at about 10 p.m. on Friday, following a credible tip-off.
The suspects were subsequently arraigned, although Sowore questioned the circumstances surrounding the prosecution, insisting that the principal individuals he had identified as being connected to the attack had not been arrested or questioned.
“For the avoidance of doubt, none of the principal perpetrators we have publicly identified have been arrested, let alone brought before a court to answer for the attack,” he wrote.
He described the arraignment as “a calculated diversion from the serious crime of attempted murder and an apparent attempt to shield those who planned, sponsored, coordinated and executed the attack.”
Among those he listed for investigation is Governor Oyebanji, whom he said should answer questions over allegations linking individuals associated with his administration to the attack.
Sowore referred to claims that stolen devices belonging to members of his team had been traced to locations around the Governor’s Lodge and Office.
He also named CSP Ayodele Akinlua, the governor’s Chief Security Officer, demanding an explanation over an alleged warning that his safety could not be guaranteed if he proceeded with political activities in Ekiti State.
The activist further accused Commissioner of Police Falade of mishandling the investigation, particularly the police command’s initial description of the incident as an altercation, its handling of the crime scene and the removal of CCTV equipment.
He also raised allegations concerning the possible suppression or destruction of critical evidence and demanded an independent investigation into the police commissioner’s conduct.
Sowore equally called for an investigation into the Ekiti State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and relevant operatives over allegations that security personnel provided location intelligence and operational assistance to the attackers.
Other individuals named include Sola Adenijo, popularly known as Solar, whom Sowore identified as an alleged leader of the armed attackers.
He claimed that Adenijo was present at the scene and called for an investigation into his reported relationships with individuals connected to the Ekiti State Government and the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority.
The AAC presidential candidate also named Temitope Omotuyi, popularly known as Tope Jinadu Small, and other individuals allegedly associated with the Ekiti State chapter of the City Boys Movement.
He called for an investigation into their possible involvement in the attack.
Also mentioned was Sunday Adedayo, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu and National Director of Student Engagement of the City Boys Movement.
Sowore alleged that Adedayo had information relevant to the investigation because of his reported association with some of the identified attackers.
He further named Olayinka Oyebode, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oyebanji, and Makinde Araoye, alongside other organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon.
According to Sowore, they should be questioned about the circumstances surrounding his exclusion from the marathon and any information they might have had concerning threats to his safety.
Others listed include Ayodeji Akintade Ifeoluwa, popularly known as AK, identified as the Publicity Secretary of the Ekiti State City Boys Movement; Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority; and Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Sowore alleged that Akintade had been linked to footage of the attack in which a person wielding a machete was seen assaulting one of his team members. He called for an independent examination of the original recordings to establish the identities and actions of those captured.
He also alleged that information available to his team linked the Federal Housing Authority managing director and Lere Olayinka to individuals or circumstances surrounding the incident.
The activist insisted that the police must explain why the principal individuals identified by his team had not been invited for questioning.
He also questioned the whereabouts of mobile phones and other devices allegedly stolen during the attack, as well as reports that CCTV recordings were wiped from equipment removed from the restaurant.
“We demand the immediate disclosure of the charges filed against them and the evidence linking them to the attack, including why the victims of the attack were not contacted before arraignment,” he said.
Sowore subsequently called on the Inspector-General of Police to establish an independent investigative team to examine the incident.
He demanded that all available CCTV recordings be secured and subjected to forensic examination, while stolen devices and other electronic evidence should be recovered and preserved.
He also insisted that everyone found to have played a role in planning, financing, executing or concealing the attack should be prosecuted, regardless of their political position or connections.
“We further demand the immediate removal or suspension of CP Falade Adegoroye Michael pending an independent investigation into his command’s handling of the case,” he added.
The activist maintained that the arrest and arraignment of 11 suspects would not amount to justice if those allegedly responsible for organising and sponsoring the attack were not investigated.
“Arraigning 11 persons does not amount to justice if those who organised and sponsored the violence remain untouched. We will not accept a cosmetic prosecution designed to create the appearance of accountability while the central questions remain unanswered,” he wrote.