Sowore alleges police cover-up in Ekiti

Omoyele Sowore has demanded an independent investigation into the attack on him and his associates in Ado-Ekiti, accusing the Ekiti State Police Command of protecting people he believes organised and carried out the assault.

The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate also called for the suspension or removal of the state Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, pending a review of the command’s handling of the case.

In a statement on Wednesday, 4 November, Sowore questioned whether the arrest of 11 suspects addressed the circumstances surrounding the 30 October attack at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of the state capital. He maintained that individuals his team had identified as central to the incident remained outside the investigation.

He named 12 individuals and officials whose conduct, associations or knowledge of events he wants investigators to examine. His demands also included the publication of the charges against the 11 suspects and the evidence connecting them to the attack.

The Ekiti State Government had earlier denied involvement in the incident. In its statement of 31 October, signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, the government rejected Sowore’s allegations and asked the police to investigate, identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

Sowore wants the Inspector-General of Police to appoint a separate investigative team to recover missing devices, preserve communication records and secure the original recordings from the restaurant’s surveillance system.

He alleged that police officers and State Security Service (SSS) operatives removed CCTV equipment from the premises and that recordings were subsequently suppressed or erased. He asked the authorities to explain who took possession of the equipment and what happened to its contents.

The SaharaReporters publisher also repeated his allegation that a phone stolen from a member of his team had been traced to the Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge. He sought forensic examination of the available electronic evidence to establish what happened and identify those involved.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji, his Chief Security Officer, Ayodele Akinlua, and the police commissioner were among those Sowore listed for investigation.

He alleged that Akinlua had warned him hours before the incident that his safety could not be guaranteed if he continued his political activities in the state. His complaints against the commissioner concerned the police’s description of the incident, management of the scene and handling of potential evidence.

Sowore also requested an inquiry into the Ekiti State Director of the SSS and relevant operatives over his allegation that security personnel assisted the attackers.

He named Adenijo Sola, popularly known as Solar, whom he accused of leading the assault, and Omotuyi Temitope, also known as Tope Jinadu Small. He asked investigators to examine their alleged involvement and relationships with other people connected to the incident.

Another person on the list was Asefon Sunday Dayo, a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students and an adviser to President Bola Tinubu. Sowore alleged that his associations with some of those identified could provide information about the planning of the attack.

He also sought the questioning of Oyebode and Makinde Araoye, an organiser of the Ikogosi Marathon, concerning the circumstances surrounding his visit and information they might have held about threats to his safety.

Sowore further named Ayodeji Akintade Ifeoluwa, popularly known as AK. He alleged that footage linked Akintade to an assault on a member of his team with a machete, while requesting independent examination of the original recordings to establish the identities and actions of those shown.

The remaining people listed were Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, and Lere Olayinka Aresa, a senior special assistant on public communications and social media to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.

Sowore wants investigators to examine alleged connections involving the individuals, the state government and the City Boys Movement. He argued that the authorities must investigate anyone implicated by credible evidence in organising, financing, executing or concealing the attack.

The police, in their 31 October announcement, said Rapid Response Squad officers arrested the 11 suspects following a tip-off. The operation took place at about 10 p.m. on 30 October in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti.

Those identified by the command included Salami Emmanuel, 53; Olatunji Abayomi, 41; Joseph Tayo and Kayode Dada, both 32; and Segun Olatunji, 28.

The others were Isaac Amba and Ojo Ayodeji, both 22; Ogunsola Ayomide, 21; and Kehinde Ajigbana, Tosin David and Solomon Iyanu, all 18.

Police listed eight international passports, 13 mobile phones, seven ATM cards, two walkie-talkies, two vehicle keys and a flash drive among the recovered items. They also reported recovering substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Colorado.

Command spokesperson Abutu Sunday said investigators were examining the suspects’ individual roles and possible connections to the incident while seeking others involved. The commissioner promised that anyone found responsible would face prosecution.

The command initially described the incident as an altercation and said officers rescued Sowore and the other victims. Sowore disputed both descriptions, maintaining that armed men subjected his group to a coordinated attack.

Police also said the victims received treatment and had been discharged from hospital.

The disagreement over the investigation prompted a demonstration at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja on 3 November. Sowore and his supporters demanded an independent inquiry and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the assault, including anyone who sponsored or coordinated it.