By John Dike, Osogbo
Accord Party chairman in Osun State, Pastor Victor Akande, has called on the Osun State Commissioner of Police to order the immediate release of Mr. Owoeye Muyiwa, who was allegedly detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on the directive of Senator Francis Fadahunsi through his police orderly.
Akande, in a statement issued on Friday, alleged that Muyiwa, said to be a supporter of Governor Ademola Adeleke and a member of the Accord Party, had been in detention for three days over the mounting of Governor Adeleke’s billboard within his family compound.
The Accord chairman further alleged that the arrest may not be unconnected with Muyiwa’s refusal to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite alleged pressures and invitations from Senator Fadahunsi.
According to the statement, efforts were allegedly made to implicate the detained supporter in the vandalisation of APC billboards, but those invited to identify him reportedly informed the police that they did not witness him vandalising any billboard.
Akande maintained that the development clearly exonerated Muyiwa from the allegation levelled against him.
He expressed concern that despite the absence of credible evidence linking the suspect to any offence, he had remained in custody, with officials at the State CID allegedly insisting that only the Commissioner of Police could authorise his release.
The Accord chairman described the continued detention as intimidation and harassment allegedly targeted at members and supporters of the party across Ijesaland.
“We respectfully call on the Commissioner of Police to ensure the immediate release of Mr. Owoeye Muyiwa without further delay. No citizen should be subjected to unlawful detention or political intimidation for expressing support for a political leader or exercising his lawful rights,” Akande stated.
He also call the attention of the Inspector General of Police, the Owa Palace, democratic institutions and observers within and outside Nigeria to what he described as growing violations of the rights and privileges of the people of Ijesaland.
Akande urged security agencies to remain professional, impartial and committed to protecting the democratic rights of citizens irrespective of political affiliation.
“Our people should not be pushed to the wall through acts of intimidation and harassment. Democracy must be protected, and the rights of citizens must be respected at all times,” the statement added.
