By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Information commissioner, Kolapo Alimi, spokesman to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, and other media aides have sued the Police Inspector General, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Police Service Commission over alleged harassment.
They dragged him and the commission before the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, seeking the enforcement of their fundamental rights.
In the suit,the applicants alleged that security operatives have harassed, intimidated and threatened them in the course of carrying out their official duties, claiming there were attempts to deploy the police to suppress and silence Osun State media officials.
According to court papers filed on Friday, the officials accused the police of threatening to lock up media aides, while also citing what they described as recent arrests and open threats that suggest the alleged intimidation could continue.
An affidavit in support of the suit was deposed to by a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Mr. Hezekiah Oladele Olabamiji, who accused some sections of the police of acting in collaboration with “faceless politicians,” particularly linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC), to intimidate and harass state officials.
The officials said the action became necessary to protect their constitutional rights as political activities heighten ahead of the August 8 governorship election in the state.
The case is expected to come up for hearing on a date to be communicated by the court.
