Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has denied allegations by the All Progressives Congress that he is harbouring the Commander of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Adekunle Omoyele, who is being sought by the police in connection with the killing of some residents of Akinlalu community by operatives of the security agency.
The Osun APC, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, and made available in Osogbo on Sunday, accused the governor of shielding Omoyele from arrest, describing the alleged act as “condemnable, irresponsible, wicked, and unpatriotic.”
The opposition party challenged Adeleke to demonstrate a genuine commitment to justice by assisting the police in their investigation and handing over the Amotekun boss to security operatives.
The opposition party said, “If the news flying around in Osogbo, the state capital, is anything to go by—that Omoyele, one of the crucial suspects in the dastardly act at Akinlalu, has been hibernating in the Government House to evade police arrest—then Governor Adeleke must take responsibility.
“As a self-acclaimed patriot and believer in the rule of law, Governor Adeleke should, without further delay, hand over the state commander of the Amotekun to the police for them to carry out a thorough investigation into the Akinlalu killings that have become a national embarrassment.”
The APC noted that although Adeleke had earlier commended the police for their “diligent and professional” handling of the investigation into the killings, such praise would amount to lip service if he continued to protect Omoyele.
The party also claimed that the governor’s alleged role in shielding suspects was consistent with his “pattern of aiding and abetting impunity,” adding, “It is now the case with his former Chief Security Officer, Omoyele, who has been out of circulation since his alleged assassination attempt story was deflated by the police.”