TICC Charges Oluwole Oke to Produce Aide Named in Aderogba Killing for proper investigation
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has called on the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Mr. Oluwole Oke, to cooperate with security agencies investigating the killing of Ajayi Aderogba by producing an aide allegedly linked to the incident.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council urged Oke to hand over the aide, identified as Omo Aje, who was reportedly named by the deceased’s widow as one of those responsible for the killing.
According to the statement, the account given by Mrs. Tolulope Aderogba, who witnessed the attack that claimed her husband’s life, pointed to the involvement of the aide.
“The widow’s account was detailed and concise, and could hasten justice for late Aderogba if everyone mentioned is taken into custody by law enforcement authorities,” the statement said.
The council maintained that Oke, being both a kinsman and elected representative of the deceased, owes it to the family and people of Esa-Oke to support efforts aimed at securing justice.
“As a kinsman and the representative of the late Aderogba, Mr. Oke owes the family of the deceased and the people of Esa-Oke a duty to ensure justice is done in this matter, and that starts with producing his aide who has been fingered in the brutal murder of the young man,” TICC stated.
The group said allegations that Omo Aje worked closely with the federal lawmaker and had allegedly been involved in efforts to facilitate a meeting between Aderogba and Oke had raised serious concerns.
“We must warn that the fact that Omo Aje works closely with Mr. Oke and was said to be pushing for the deceased to meet the lawmaker raises many questions. The only way to clear doubts about his involvement is to bring him out of hiding and hand him over to the appropriate authorities to answer the allegations against him,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its commitment to justice, the council said it would continue to advocate for accountability for Aderogba and other victims of what it described as politically motivated killings in Osun State.
“Our campaign remains committed to getting justice for late Aderogba and others who lost their lives to politically motivated killings in the state,” the council said.
TICC also called on the Osun State Police Command to launch what it described as a thorough, professional and impartial investigation into all individuals mentioned by the deceased’s widow.
“It is important to call on the Osun Police Command to immediately open a thorough, professional and impartial investigation on everyone mentioned by the widow of the deceased in order to uncover the whole truth and secure justice for the victim’s family,” the statement noted.
The council stressed that law enforcement agencies have a responsibility to protect all citizens irrespective of their social status or political affiliation.
“Law enforcement officers have a duty to every citizen, irrespective of their standing in society or partisan affiliation, and it is our earnest desire that the late Aderogba gets justice through the prosecution of all those responsible for his death,” it said.
The group further warned against attacks on its members and supporters, insisting that participation in elections is a constitutional right that must be protected.
“Our commitment to a peaceful electoral process should not be taken for granted, as we will not hesitate to take every legal means necessary to protect our members from needless attacks and killings under the supervision of compromised police officers,” the statement said.
“Participation in an election is a democratic right, which we are prepared to defend within the legal framework. Therefore, we strongly reject the unprovoked attacks, harassment and killings of our members and supporters for exercising their right to freedom of choice in a democracy.”
The council also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct security agencies to maintain neutrality ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
“We are again calling on President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies to be neutral in the upcoming governorship poll and protect every citizen against harm,” the statement said.
TICC further urged the international community and democracy advocates to closely monitor developments in Osun State as preparations for the election intensify.
“We are also calling on all lovers of democracy and the international community to beam their searchlights on Osun State in order to safeguard the democratic rights of citizens as we approach the August 15 governorship poll,” the statement concluded.