Lawyer accuses Fayose of masterminding Olukere’s prosecution

An Akure based human rights lawyer and activist, Morakinyo Ogele, has accused the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose of masterminding the prosecution of the Olukere of Ikere, Oba Obasoyin Ganiyu.

Barrister Ogele who spoke at his office chamber in Akure said that the ongoing prosecution of the Ikere traditional ruler would create a lot of political crisis in the state.

An Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court had last Wednesday ordered that the Olukere Oba Obasoyin be remanded in the prison custody with five others over allegations bordering on conspiracy, and murder.

Last week, police arrested the traditional ruler and arraigned him in connection with a violence that erupted shortly after he formally opened his hotel located at Gbemisola area of the town on Friday.

Addressing newsmen in his Akure Office, Ogele noted that the continued detention of the monarch was politically motivated by the State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.

He alleged that Oba Obasoyin was been persecuted for his refusal to support an aspirant from Ikere town being front by Mr. Fayose to succeed him after tenure.

According to Ogele, the detention of the Ikere monarch could cause an unending crisis in the town and the state at large if the traditional institutions are being drag into the muddy waters of politics.

The human rights lawyer also appealed with the traditional rulers in the state to as matter of urgency prevail on Governor Fayose to exercise caution and sheathe his sword over the ongoing case.

“While opening his multi-million naira hotel, Oba Obasanyin Ganiyu said in his speech that ‘Ikere people had not endorsed any indigene of the town as their preferred candidate in the next governorship election in the state’.

“Three days after the event, thugs invaded the hotel and destroyed the property. The police chased the hoodlums and killed one of them.

“But to our dismay, the story was changed and the monarch was charged to court on suspicion that he was involved in the killing.

“It is curious that after Oba Obasanyin had been remanded in prison, the police came out to say the boy was killed by them and that he was an armed robber.

“Even if the monarch is not supporting Eleka, an indigene of the town and candidate of Governor Fayose, I don’t think he has done anything wrong”.

Barrister Ogele added that the case was not a ‘murder case but political case that is laid on a criminal matter’ to frame up the Ikere monarch who is a critic of the state governor.

He, however, alleged that the Judiciary and the Governor have perfected a plan to frame up himself and others who are keenly interested in the case.

‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure