12th January, 2011
Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria, and the Oyo State Police Command today opposed the bail application of embattled Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin.
When hearing on the Senator’s bail application came up today before Justice Ladipo Abimbola of High Court 3 in Ibadan, Akala and the police told the court that releasing Senator Folarin would obstruct the course of justice.
In a counter motion jointly prepared by the state government through the Attorney-General and Oyo State Commissioner for Justice, Are Abdulsalam and the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Adisa Baba Bolanta, the appeal to refuse the bail application was in the interest of justice. In a 30 paragraph counter affidavit deposed to by Ibrahim Oyemonla Tijani, the state government and police authorities affirmed that contrary to paragraph 14 of the bail application, 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 death of the factional leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Alhaji Lateeef Salako alias Eleweomo. The affidavit reads:
“That contrary to paragraph 17 of the 1st applicant’s affidavit in support, the applicant actually quickly went into hiding immediately after the attack he 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.
“That contrary to paragraph 37 of the affidavit in support of the 1st applicant’s application, the 1st applicant will interfere and influence the outcome of the investigation of the police by virtue of his political connection and privilege of office.
“That 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 of 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 duly 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 stand down the case till 12 noon so as to be able peruse the counter affidavit he was served in the court.
Because the respondent’s counsel, Mr. Chukwuma Ekomaro did not object to the prayer, Justice Ladipo Abimbola 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 bail or not.
The matter was in progress at the time of filing this report.
— Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan