‎Osun Poll: Police Arraign Fake DSS Personnel, Ex-Council Boss, Ibukun Fadipe Over Violence

The Nigeria Police, Osun command has arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court a 22 year old man, Aladegolu Victor, for parading himself as an officer of the police and DSS during the just concluded governorship election in Osun.

Also arraigned by the Police was a former Chairman of Ilesa West Local Government, Mr. Ibukun Fadipe who is believed to be notorious for attacks on members of the All Progressives Congress in the local government area.

Although Fadipe has been accused of being behind various attacks on APC members in the area, he was on Thursday arraigned over a case of attack on some people in Ilesa in 2009.

The fake DSS man, Aladegolu victor, who was arrested in Ile Ife on the 9th of August 2014, pleaded guilty to the two-count charges brought against him by the Commissioner of Police.

‎According to the charge sheet, the accused in company of others now at large presented themselves as personnel of Directorate of State Security (DSS) at a polling unit in Ile-Ife City Hall area.

The suspect and others at large committed offence on Saturday August 9, 2014 at Ile-Ife at about 12:05pm terrorising members of the public, adding that the offence is contrary and punishable under section 517 of the state criminal law 2003.

The suspect and others were alleged to be wearing black T-shirts with the inscription “Police” in the front and “DSS” behind”.

It added that the suspect committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 109 of the State Penal Code.

Barrister Biodun Badiora , while announcing his appearance said the Attorney General of the state is taking over the matter from the police to ensure diligent prosecution.

Defence Counsel Barrister Nnenna Ngwu did not object to the application by the state to take over prosecution from the Police, stating that the court has been saved the rigour of stretched trial with the suspect pleading guilty to the two-count charges against him.

In rejecting the bail application for the suspect, Presiding Magistrate, Mr. Olusola Aluko, urged defence counsel to apply for bail formally.

He also ordered that the accused person be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the matter till September 12, 2014 for hearing.

It would be recalled that the suspect formerly held in Police custody before the poll, was initially released by Police but later re-arrested.

Both the State Government of Osun and the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress had before and during the election raised the alarm over the presence of hoodlums impersonating men of the Nigerian Army, the Police, DSS and other security agencies.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Atahiru Jega, just on Wednesday confirmed that the Osun election was nearly rigged condemnining the presence of hooded security agents as well.

The former chairman, Ilesa West Local Government, who appeared before Chief Magistrate A.O Ijiyode, was accused of assaulting one Alhaja Mulikat Odeyemi, and others as well as damaging the speakers and engine of Isokun Social Elite Club in Ilesa on 28th May 2009.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The accused Lawyer, Barrister Oluwaseun Ajoba urged the court to dismiss the case as all the complainants who were victims of the assault were in court saying they had withdrawn the case long time.

the prosecuting counsel, promise Akanwa however opposed the move as he said the proper procedure was for the counsel to apply forbail.

After much argument, Counsel to the accused, pleaded for bail saying the accused could not jump bail as he was the immediate past chairman of Ilesa West Local Government Area.

Barrister Ajoba also argued that all the complainants who were direct victims of the assault case could stand as surety for the accused.

Chief Magistrate Ijiyode thereafter granted the accused bail in the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira and two sureties who must be resident in Ilesa.