Fayose Behind Detention Of Ekiti Monarch – Lawyer
An Akure-based human rights lawyer, Morakinyo Ogele, has fingered the Ekiti state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, in the prosecution and detention in prison custody of the Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Obasanyin Ganiyu.
Speaking with Newsmen in Akure, Ondo state, Ogele, who also hails from the town, alleged that that case was not a murder case, but a political case the governor allegedly contrived to nail the monarch.
He however warned that the continued detention of the traditional ruler could cause a major crisis in the town.
While urging other traditional rulers in the state and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in the matter, Ogele said that the action taken on the monarch was very inhuman and also ridiculed the position of traditional rulers.
He also warned the Governor to stop dragging the Yoruba traditional institution in the mud.
His words, “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 that 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.
“Fayose has turned himself into a street fighter such that whosoever refuses his offer or directives must suffer for it the hard way. Imagine a governor acting in this manner to a well known traditional ruler of a town in your state”.
It would be recalled that an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court had last Wednesday ordered that the monarch and five other persons be remanded in prison over allegations of conspiracy, attempted murder and murder.
