A magistrate in Abuja has directed the Nigeria Police Force to investigate a direct criminal complaint filed against the senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi, over his controversial comment calling for the “killing” of members of the Accord Party ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The magistrate, Farida Ibrahim, in a letter dated 13 August, directed the police to investigate the complaint and report back within two weeks.
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The directive followed a direct criminal complaint filed by Pelumi Olajengbesi against Mr Fadahunsi. The complaint was brought pursuant to Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
Section 89(5) of ACJA referenced in the letters states that all private complaints made directly to a court under that section must first be referred to the police for investigation before the court takes any further action.
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Mr Olajengbejsi, who initiated the direct complaint as a private citizen, is a lawyer and the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Organisation, which is championing Governor Ademola Adeleke’s second term campaigns.
The development comes just two days before the 15 August Osun State governorship election, in which Mr Fadahunsi’s All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenging the Accord Party, which is fielding second term-seeking Governor Adeleke. There are 13 other political parties participating in the governorship election.
The letter, signed by Abdulraham Yusuf, Registrar of the Magistrate Court, was addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja.
The magistrate’s directive is contained in a letter titled, ‘Direct Criminal Complaint Between Pelumi Olajengbesi and Senator Francis Fadahunsi Brought Pursuant to Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.’
The letter signed by Abdulraham Yusuf, an official of Magistrate Court 7, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, presided over by magistrate, Ms Ibrahim.
“I am directed by the presiding Magistrate II, His Worship Hon. Farida Ibrahim, sitting at Magistrate Court Wuse Zone 6, FCT Abuja, to write to your office to investigate the above mentioned case and report back within two weeks,” the letter reads.
The court also attached a copy of the criminal complaint to the letter for the police to examine and take “necessary action.”
The ‘kill’ claim
The development comes days after a video of Mr Fadahunsi, the senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, went viral over comments he made during an APC campaign in Ilesa ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
In the video, the senator, speaking in Yoruba, was heard telling APC supporters to “kill” Accord Party members whenever they encountered them.
“It is animal that kills. Have you ever heard that APC killed anyone? Are those being killed not your people?” Mr Fadahunsi said.
“So, we have come to tell you, up till the day of the election, if we see them, it is killing.”
The comment triggered widespread condemnation, with concerns raised over its potential implications for the safety of voters and political supporters ahead of the election.
Mr Fadahunsi subsequently said his statement was political and metaphorical, insisting that he was calling on APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party at the ballot box.
READ ALSO: Osun Election: Lawyer demands prosecution of Fadahunsi over alleged call to kill Accord supporters
Speaking during a live programme on Channels Television, the senator said he did not mean physical killing.
“If you listen to me very well, I didn’t say it in English, so you cannot interpret it in English,” Mr Fadahunsi said, explaining that he meant supporters should “shut them down with their votes.”
He also linked his comments to alleged attacks and killings involving members of his community and political party, saying he had previously complained to the police about the situation.
The court’s latest directive means the police are now required to examine the allegations contained in the complaint and report their findings to the court within two weeks.
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