Daud Olatunji
The Ogun State government has explained why the former chairman of the Ijebu-East local government area of Ogun State, Wale Adedayo, must be prosecuted.
The government in a petition signed by the Secretary to Ogun State Government, Tokunbo Talabi alleged that Adedayo has orchestrated a sinister campaign of falsehood, fabricated reports against the government.
He added that the action has endangered lives, and obstructed the exercise of executive functions within the state.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered the petition which was formally presented on May 23, 2023, paints a deeply troubling portrait of Adedayo’s purported activities.
Among the allegations is the claim that he has been on a calculated mission to destabilize the state, incite the public against the Governor and the Ogun State government, and disrupt the proper execution of executive duties.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that one pivotal incident that ignited public outrage took place on Sunday, August 27, 2023, when Adedayo distributed a letter addressed to Aremo Olusegun Osoba, a former Governor of Ogun State and elder statesman.
In this letter, Adedayo made accusations against the current Governor, Dapo Abiodun, alleging misappropriation of local government funds.
In a bid to debunk the allegations, the Governor provided evidence that all local government allocations had been remitted in accordance with established protocols contrary to Adedayo’s allegation.
Also, on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, other Local Government Chairmen in the state visited the Governor and apologized on behalf of Adedayo’s claims, saying that their allocations had remained untouched by the Governor.
The Councillors of Ijebu East Local Government impeached Adedayo as LGA Chairman, citing allegations of severe and long-standing financial mismanagement.
In the petition obtained by PLATFORM TIMES, the government submitted that the development raises the spectre that Adedayo’s accusations may have served as a smokescreen to divert attention from his own administrative misconduct and impending disciplinary actions.
It added that publication of such accusations not only raises ethical concerns but also potentially violates the law. According to Section 59 of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State, publishing false statements likely to cause fear and alarm among the public is a misdemeanor, carrying a potential three-year imprisonment.
It further clarifies that a lack of knowledge about the falsehood is not a defense unless reasonable measures to verify accuracy were undertaken prior to publication.
According to the SSG, Adedayo’s actions are perceived as a direct attempt to interfere with the executive functions of the Governor, an offense classified as a felony under Section 61 of the Criminal Law, and punishable by up to one year in prison.
The petition further read that concerns extend beyond the allegations themselves, as Mr. Adedayo’s reputation for retaliating against opponents has created a climate of fear among potential witnesses and community members involved in this petition.
It stated that protecting these individuals from potential harm has become a pressing concern.
in his prayer, Talabi wrote, In light of these grave allegations, the people of Ogun State are urgently calling upon the police to initiate a comprehensive investigation into Mr. Wale Adedayo’s activities and to take the necessary legal actions. The paramount objective is to safeguard the peace and tranquility of Ogun State, prioritizing economic empowerment over political manipulation.
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