The Osun State Government has taken Senator Francis Fadahunsi to court over alleged threats against members and supporters of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The suit, filed at the Osun State High Court in Osogbo, seeks an order compelling the police to investigate the controversial comments attributed to the Osun East senator.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, SAN, filed the case against the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police. Fadahunsi was listed as an interested party.
Government seeks police investigation
According to the court documents, the case followed a video circulating online in which Fadahunsi was allegedly captured speaking at a political gathering near the Owa Obokun’s Palace in Ilesha.
The Osun Government said the senator’s comments were interpreted as calls for violence against Accord members and alleged that he directed supporters to attack them and their families.
The government is asking the court to compel the police to investigate the video and determine whether the alleged statements amount to criminal offences.
It also wants the police to “preserve, authenticate and conduct a forensic examination” of the complete video to establish its authenticity and determine whether it had been edited.
Security measures sought ahead of election
The government is further asking the court to direct security agencies to protect Accord candidates, members and voters from intimidation or harassment before, during and after Saturday’s election.
It also wants registered voters and Accord supporters to be allowed to freely access polling-related locations without interference.
The Attorney-General stressed that the case is not asking the court to determine Fadahunsi’s criminal guilt, but rather to compel the police to perform their legal duties and take preventive measures.
With the election only days away, the Osun Government warned that failing to investigate the alleged threats could expose residents to serious risks, including violence and loss of life.
Source: Osun State Government’s court filing at the Osun State High Court.
