The Chairman of the Accord in Osun State, Pastor Victor Akande, has called on the Osun State Commissioner of Police to order the immediate release of a party supporter allegedly detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department.
In a statement issued on Friday, Akande alleged that the party member, identified as Owoeye Muyiwa, had been held in custody for three days on the alleged instruction of Senator Francis Fadahunsi through his police orderly.
According to the statement, Muyiwa, described as a supporter of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and a member of the Accord, was allegedly arrested after mounting a billboard of the governor within his family house.
The party claimed that “the detention might be connected to Muyiwa’s alleged refusal to defect to the All Progressives Congress despite repeated pressure and invitations from Senator Fadahunsi.”
Akande alleged that efforts were also made to implicate Muyiwa in the vandalisation of billboards belonging to the APC in the area.
He stated that “individuals reportedly invited to identify Muyiwa allegedly informed investigators that they did not witness him vandalising any billboard, thereby clearing him of the accusation.”
The Accord chairman maintained that despite the absence of evidence linking Muyiwa to any criminal offence, he had continued to remain in custody at the State CID.
According to the statement, “officials at the State CID allegedly informed concerned persons that only the Commissioner of Police could authorise Muyiwa’s release.”
Akande described the continued detention as intimidation and harassment allegedly targeted at members and supporters of the Accord across Ijesaland.
“We respectfully call on the Commissioner of Police to ensure the immediate release of Mr. Owoeye Muyiwa without further delay. No citizen should be subjected to unlawful detention or political intimidation for expressing support for a political leader or exercising his lawful rights,” Akande said.
The Accord chairman also called the attention of the Inspector General of Police, the Owa Obokun Palace, and democratic institutions within and outside Nigeria to increasing violations of the rights of people in Ijesaland.
“Our people should not be pushed to the wall through acts of intimidation and harassment. Democracy must be protected, and the rights of citizens must be respected at all times,” the statement added.
