Gov Akala, Police Block Bail For Senator Folarin

Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria, and the Oyo State Police Command today opposed the bail application of embattled Senate Leader,Â Senator Teslim Folarin.

When hearing on the Senatorâ€™s bail application came up today before Justice Ladipo Abimbola of High Court 3 in Ibadan, Akala and the police told the courtÂ that releasing Senator Folarin would obstruct the course of justice.

In a counter motion jointly prepared by the state government through the Attorney-General andÂ Oyo State Commissioner for Justice, Are Abdulsalam and theÂ Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Adisa Baba Bolanta, the appeal to refuse the bail application was in the interest of justice. In a 30 paragraph counterÂ affidavit deposed to by Ibrahim Oyemonla Tijani, the state government and police authorities affirmed that contrary to paragraph 14 of the bail application,Â Folarin and others actually harassed and molested innocent people with dangerous weapons.

They argued that Folarin and his supporters invaded the venue of the local government congress at Olunloyo area and caused mayhem that resulted in the deathÂ of the factional leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW,Â Alhaji Lateeef Salako alias Eleweomo. The affidavit reads:

â€œThat contrary to paragraph 17 of the 1st applicantâ€™s affidavit in support, the applicant actually quickly went into hiding immediately after the attack heÂ executed against the deceased (Alhaji Lateef Salako) when he led a number of thugs to attack him and some other persons with guns and cutlasses.

â€œThat contrary to paragraph 37 of the affidavit in support of the 1st applicantâ€™s application, the 1st applicant will interfere and influence the outcome ofÂ the investigation of the police by virtue of his political connection and privilege of office.

â€œThat the 1st applicant will interfere with further investigation of the police being carried out in respect of the other suspects at large and in respect ofÂ other victims whose statements are yet be obtained at their various hospitals, given their political connection.â€

The counter affidavit was supported with seven different statements of some witnesses obtained by the police and marked exhibit B, C, D, E, F and G dulyÂ signed by CSP Emuobo Fred Ekokotu, Muslim Muili, Adeleke Kazeem, Sikiru Adeagbo, PC Aderoju Abiola, ASP Mathew Adisa, and Adesiyan Solomon.

Others standing trial with Senator Folarin are Ramoni Jayeola Bankole, Olaide Raji and Raimi Ismaila while Tunde Ogunyemi, Corporal Adejuigbe Olaniyi, PCÂ Adeyemi Jimoh, Corporal Azozo Nuhu and Pius Joseph are at large.

Reacting, lead counsel to Senator Folarin, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who led other 21 lawyers including Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, urged the court to standÂ down the case till 12 noon so as to be able peruse the counter affidavit he was served in the court.

Because the respondentâ€™s counsel, Mr. Chukwuma Ekomaro did not object to the prayer, Justice Ladipo AbimbolaÂ granted the prayer.

He ordered that all parties should reconvene by 12 noon to argue thier position which would be used to determine whether the senator should be granted bailÂ or not.

The matter was in progress at the time of filing this report.

â€” Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

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7 Comments

james ayo says:

January 13, 2011 at 12:17 am

Is this a new story or sponsored story? What has Akala got to do with this? The man was busy with pdp affairs in Ibadan, but you wrote your news as if he was in the court.
Though eleweomo was a ‘rogue’ and ‘undesirable thug’ was he supposed to be murdered like that? Senator Teslimi balogun and his cohorts in the national assembly kept on looting the treasurriy of Nigeria, has he and his colleagues ever been murdered? If corruption is welcome, so also is thuggery! Akala, Tinubu, Obasanjo, Orji Kalu, Ladoja…and co are all looters and criminals, but you are persecuting one thief and leaving the other, because you hate one and love the other, journalism should never be practised like this. never!!!

moses olateju says:

January 12, 2011 at 11:21 pm

The events in Oyo State are unsettling. In fact right thinking citizens should be concerned about the political situations in the state. All the parties in the conflict are behaving as if their political fortunes are the only things that matter. There are millions of people in the state whose lives are affected by what the politicians (or hoodlums parading themselves as politicians) are doing. The people of Oyo State need peace. Thugs should cease their stupid actions.

Femi says:

January 12, 2011 at 11:11 pm

Akala is a stupid boy

akinkunmi says:

January 12, 2011 at 10:12 pm

Bayo,i dont see no reason to create moer mayhem for the people of Oyo state.. you’re among the worst gov. that we’ve ever had in Oyo.
You will reap all your Deeds insha Allah.
Ibadan lo mo O mon layipo…
I dont blame you, cos u are a fortunist.

adewale olufemi says:

January 12, 2011 at 9:45 pm

I think what he called himself the Commisioner of police should be sent off out of Oyo state I.G Bcos this useless man Akala is using this and if care is not taking possible the Oyo state will turn to war place

anutoks says:

January 12, 2011 at 9:16 pm

Inspector General of police should do something about the oyo state commisioner of police. The time frame of investigation is soo short to be able to come to conclusion. Police should be neutral, not joining force with Akala government. Bolanta is a disgrace to the police force because the unanswer question is what is eleweomo doing at the venue? One of eleweomo wife confirmed that her husband rushed out that faithful day after he must have received a phone call that Tokyo & co are on their way to the venue.
His aim Eleweomo is to go and counter attack if possible kill innocent citizen as usual. Eleweomo should be a stupid man for leading the battle he should have sit back and instruct his boyz to do the biz. That is how a brilliant commander behave not a common thug without sense. Eleweomo should have at least think about his wives, children and family members who depend on him before acting stupidly. Eleweomo and Akala are almost the same age, Balogun tio o ba majamasa iru won lo n ma ba ogun lo. Did you see Akala children(s) among the thugs NO but when things materialise they are the one to spend the money.
Eleweomo, Bolanta and akalamagbo should be blame for his own death.

Naubiko says:

January 12, 2011 at 11:05 pm

Fools Fools I say but there lives at risk for the benefit of rogues and politicians like Akala &Co ….Well said…..