|
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP) and three others have been recommended for trial by the Osun State Government over the alleged rape of an Action Congress supporter, one Miss Tosin Ajakaiye in Ilesa recently.
The suspects whose names were given as Olawale Fakolujo,Odeniran Kehinde, Obafemi Kolawole and Chief Ganiyu Oladiran were reportedly avenging the burning of the property of one of them, Chief Oladiran, a PDP Chieftain by Action Congress supporters following the announcement of the Governorship election results on 15th April, 2007.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Niyi Owolade at a press conference on Thursday in Osogbo said a prima facie case had been made against the accused persons while the police had been accordingly advised.
He stated that “following complaints lodged with the police, the state Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. directed a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the act at the end of which the ministry of justice got the police report upon which a legal advice has now been prepared.
“The complainants, Sunday Ibitoye, Tosin Ajakaiye, Lasun Gbadamosi, Lawal Sikiru and Oluwafemi Ojo, all of the Action Congress had alleged that they were assaulted by Olawale Fakolujo,Odeniran Kehinde,Obafemi Kolawole and Chief Ganiyu Oladiran while Tosin Ajakaiye was allegedly raped on September 16 last year.
“Obafemi Kolawole who is to be charged with rape also faces charges of conspiracy ,stealing and assault along with Olawale Fakolujo and Odeniran Kehinde. Chief Gani Oladiran is to be charged with the offence of conspiracy and assault occasioning harm contrary to sections 516A and 356 of the Criminal Code Laws of Osun State, 2002.
He said the government wished to stress that the law was no respecter of any individual no matter how highly placed or connected.
“The Oyinlola government will continue to do justice to all manner of people irrespective of their social standing or political leanings. We also want to warn that anyone who takes the law into his or her own hands should be prepared to face the music as the Oyinlola government will not shield anybody from Justice. Nobody, no matter how vociferous or well connected or highly placed who commits any criminal act will escape justice. The rule of law will remain sacrosanct to the Oyinlola government because we believe in the dictum of Lord Denning: “be you ever so high, the law is above you.”, he added.
He stressed that certain individuals and groups “notably the Action Congress and the Lagos State House of Assembly which attempted to politicize this alleged crime should know that Osun State is a state found on the Rule of Law and will continue to be governed by it.
“We are still at a loss as to what the Lagos House, in particular wanted to achieve by dabbling into a matter which was clearly outside its jurisdiction thinking that we would be as partisan as they are always on all matters even when crimes are committed by their own people. We are taller than these small minds in matters of morality. We will continue to show them the light because Osun is always a step ahead of others.
Lasisi Olagunju
Special Adviser (Media) and
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
31st July,2008
|
