Lawyer Accuses Police Of Taking Sides In Osun APC Senstor’s Case
A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has accused the Osun State Police Command of taking sides in the case involving the Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, over his controversial comment on members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Effiong, in a statement shared on his X handle on Wednesday, condemned a viral video in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) senator was heard speaking in Yoruba and calling on his supporters to “kill Accord” members.
The lawyer described the statement as “unfortunate, condemnable, reckless and irresponsible,” warning that it could further heighten political tension in the state ahead of the election.
He argued that the comment could incite APC supporters against members of the Accord Party and other political groups, potentially threatening public order and discouraging voters from participating in the electoral process.
Fadahunsi, following the backlash generated by the video, reportedly explained that he was referring to defeating Accord Party members through votes, rather than physically harming them.
But Effiong dismissed the explanation as “pedestrian, childish and feeble,” insisting that the senator’s original statement required serious legal action.
The lawyer said he was aware that the senator had been invited to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo for questioning over the comment and was subsequently released on bail.
Fadahunsi visited the CID office at about 2pm on Wednesday after receiving the police invitation.
The police later confirmed that the senator had been granted administrative bail, while stressing that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.
However, Effiong faulted the decision to release the senator, alleging that the action suggested that the state police command was unwilling to pursue the matter further.
He consequently called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to take over the matter and ensure that Fadahunsi is arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
According to him, prosecuting the senator would reassure Nigerians that the police were committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process and maintaining impartiality ahead of Saturday’s poll.
Effiong also accused the police of applying different standards, alleging that members of the Accord Party had previously been arrested and taken to Abuja over allegations of violence that, according to him, were yet to be substantiated.
He warned that failure to prosecute Fadahunsi could be interpreted as an endorsement of lawlessness and could create the impression that politically influential individuals were above the law.
The lawyer further cautioned that inaction could undermine public confidence in the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force and embolden political actors and their supporters to employ threats, intimidation and violence during political contests.
“Failure to prosecute Senator Fadahunsi in accordance with the law will be interpreted by well-meaning Nigerians as an official endorsement of anarchy and a dangerous signal that certain individuals are above the law.
Such inaction will not only undermine public confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the Nigeria Police Force, but may also embolden political actors and their supporters to resort to threats, intimidation and violence as tools of political engagement,” the statement partly read.
