•Wants DSS to release LG boss without further delay
A legal luminary and human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to release the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area, Wale Adedayo, without further delay.
The Senior Advocate also urged Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun to file a legal action in court against Adedayo, seeking a redress over libelous claims by the local government chairman.
Falana stated this in a statement personally signed by him and made available to TheIdeal News on Sunday.
Falana also advised Governor Abiodun to go to court and clear his name, saying that two of his predecessors had gone to court over libelous publications by two major newspapers and won their cases in court.
It is instructive to note that Adedayo had accused Governor Abiodun of allegedly diverting the statutory allocations of the 20 local governments in the state.
Shortly thereafter, the LG boss was invited by the Ogun State Command of the DSS. But when he turned up for the invitation on 1st September 1, he was reportedly asked to respond to the petition submitted to the Command by the State Government.
Falana statement reads in part, “ In the said petition, it was alleged that Adedayo had instigated widespread acts of public disturbance and chaos in Ijebu East Local Government.
“Even though the embattled LG boss denied the allegation of instigating acts of public disturbance, the DSS has decided to detain him due to his refusal to withdraw the allegation levelled against Governor Abiodun.
“In spite of the fact that the Ogun State Government has denied the allegation of funds diversion, Governor Abiodun is advised to sue Mr. Wale Adedayo for libel in the Ogun State High Court.
“In similar circumstances, two of his predecessors, the late Governor Olabisi Onabanjo had sued the National Concord newspaper for libel in the Ogun State High Court in 1981 while Governor Segun Osoba sued the PUNCH Newspaper for defamation of character in the Ogun State High Court in 2001. Both Governors won the libel suits.
“Having regards to the facts and circumstances of this particular case, I am compelled to request the Ogun State Command of the DSS to release Mr. Adedayo from custody without further delay.”
