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TICC accuses Senator Fadahunsi of masterminding arrest
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Allegation reckless, devoid of credible evidence – Fadahunsi
The arrest of Popoola Alaba, popularly known as Alabama, the Accord Party House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South, has sparked protests in Osun State, as The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) demanded his immediate and unconditional release.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abiodun Ojelabi, told our correspondent that Alaba was arrested based on a petition dated July 4 alleging illegal mining.
He confirmed that four men arrested with him attacked the police and damaged a police vehicle.
Ojelabi said all of them are being investigated.
However, TICC, in a statement by its Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, claimed that Alaba and three other Accord members were abducted by a team of police officers led by one Wemimo, a security aide to Senator Francis Fadahunsi of the APC, and whisked away to the headquarters of the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo.
“At the time of their arrest, Alaba and others were in a meeting with Accord canvassers when suddenly policemen invaded the premises and forcefully took them while also physically assaulting many party members.
“Information available to us indicates that the arrest was masterminded by Senator Fadahunsi whose intention it is to keep Alaba and several other Accord leaders out of circulation till after elections.
“Credible intelligence at our disposal indicated that the arrest of Alaba is one of the outcome of a recent secret meeting between Senator Fadahunsi, the Osun Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, and another top security officer in the state, where leaders of Accord were drafted for arrest and detained unlawfully.
“We wish to put on record that Osun state Police Command and its Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan, will be held accountable and responsible if anything untoward happens to Alaba.
“While the Osun Police Command under Gotan is busy running political errands and hounding our members for no lawful reasons, we are disheartened to report that a member of the Accord, Mr. Yomi David Akanji was shot dead by suspected political thugs a few distance from his home in Olude, Osogbo, yesterday night. The father of three was waylaid by the assailant and he was unable to escape from them as they shot him in his car,” TICC claimed.
In his reaction, Senator Fadahunsi described the allegations against him as “unfortunate, reckless and completely devoid of credible evidence.”
A media aide to Senator Fadahunsi, Sam Segun-Progress, said, “For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Francis Fadahunsi has absolutely nothing to do with the allegations contained in the statement.
“Attempting to drag his name into an issue without presenting a shred of verifiable evidence is unfair, irresponsible, and a desperate attempt to tarnish the reputation of a man who has earned the respect of many through decades of dedicated public service.”
