Kogi guber: Falana Writes IGP Over Incessant Attacks On Muri

A human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun to investigate the allegations of threat to the life of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka.

He also requested the IGP to probe alleged trumped-up charges of terrorism and treasonable felony by the state governor.

In a letter dated July 12 and addressed to the IGP, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Abuja, Falana asked the Police boss to direct the immediate demobilization of all armed thugs and killer squads set up by the Kogi State Government to intimidate perceived political opponents of Governor Bello.

He said the Police boss may wish to direct the Commissioner of Police, Kogi to caution his men and officers from allowing themselves to be used as tools for political oppression of opposition political parties in the state, the SDP governorship candidate and his supporters.

Falana stated in his letter to the IGP that Ajaka’s brief is that since he was nominated by his party as its candidate for the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State, the State Governor, Ahaji Yahaya Bello has taken it upon himself to ensure that Ajaka, SDP and his supporters would not enjoy peace in Kogi State or be allowed to exercise their fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and association.

“Thus, without any legal justification, our client has become a victim of unwarranted harassment, intimidation and cheap blackmail. For instance, while on a thank you tour of the state on the 3rd day of June 2023, our client was attacked along with his team of supporters at about 12.30 pm after visiting the palace of His Royal Highness, the Ohimege of Koton-Karfi,” he explained.

The human rights lawyer alleged in the letter that Ajaka’s convoy was attacked by armed gunmen who were dressed in police uniform in official vehicles of the Kogi State Government and that life bullets were sporadically fired directly at his client with the sole intent to assassinate him.

“It is worthy to note that shortly after this incident, the Governor of Kogi State addressed his supporters on this incident wherein he referred to himself as a Lion returning to his jungle and our client as an antelope that crossed the part of the lion and threatened to deal with our client the next time he crosses his part”.

As a follow-up to this incident, Ajaka petitioned the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State and requested that the matter be investigated but rather than carry out an investigation of the said incident, he is now allegedly being hunted around Abuja by the State Governor.

“He has dispatched a team of police officers to arrest our client and forcefully take him to Lokoja on trumped-up charges of terrorism and treasonable felony,” Falana stated.

(Tribune)

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