Bola Ige’s murder: I lost everything to my arrest, says suspect

Lekan Oyediran, one of those arrested but later released in connection with the murder of Chief Bola Ige, has lamented the loss of his arrest.
Among the loss he recounted were his investment in a drug store and death of his wife before he gained freedom.‎
He spoke at the 15th year remembrance and memorial lecture of Odunayo Olagbaju , who died in 2001 during the crisis that rocked Alliance for Democracy.‎
During the occasion held at Ile-Ife, Osun state, political associates, friends and families of the deceased eulogised him for “fighting for the oppressed.” ‎
According to him, he did not regret his involvement in the crisis, especially the struggle to secure a gubernatorial ticket for Iyiola Omisore.‎
When asked about his feelings over his arrest in connection to Bola Ige’s death, he said, “I have no regret. The only regret I have is that the people we fought for did not deserve it. That struggle also had a little of youthful exuberance. We didn’t fight that struggle with enough maturity that time. ‎
“We fought a good fight, we identified with the right people but we could have also done it in a different way with a different approach. 
“All the 24 of us that were arrested in relations to the death of Bola Ige are all innocent. We didn’t know anything about it. I spent almost two years there. I lost everything; I am a pharmacist; I lost my chemist and even my wife before I came back. ‎
“So, it is a kind of thing that makes me sad a lot. Omisore is very innocent of the killing. The investigation carried out by the Nigerian police and all the security agencies exonerated Omisore and all other suspects arrested along with him. He was taken to court and acquitted, discharged and cannot be arrested until there is a new clue.”‎
Oyediran, who was a lawmaker in Osun state between 1999 to 2001, alleged that those who pointed accusing fingers at them (arrested suspects) needed to be probed for Bola Ige’s death. ‎
He added, “Recently, the accusers are saying it that we are innocent. Everybody should know that those accusing innocent people to be the killer may be the real killers. 
“Omisore was victimised, marginalised, deprived but he has strong heart. He was dealt with because he was considered as a threat.”
While delivering the keynote address, Prof. Fatai Olasupo, challenged opposition in the legislative arm to be more active. 
“They must be active and ensure that there is transparency in governance. With what we have witnessed, governance in the state level needs to be upgraded,” he added.‎
It would be recalled that Chief Bola Ige was shot dead  in his bedroom in Bodija, Ibadan, home at about  9pm on December 23, 2001, after he arrived Ibadan from Lagos at about 8.30pm.‎‎

In July, President Muhammad Buhari directed the acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to reopen investigation into the unresolved murder of the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.