“You Are a Pathological Liar,” Banik Fires Back at Kolapo Alimi, Faceless NGO Over Alleged Interference in Suspected Bandit’s Arrest

LAMECO BANDITRY SUSPECT: OSUN GOVERNMENT SHOULD STOP PROPAGANDA AND TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT IT KNOWS

My attention has been drawn to a statement issued by the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, in which he amplified allegations by a faceless civil society organisation claiming that I, Prince Adebayo Adeleke (Banik), Hon. Remi Omowaiye, Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, and Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, visited the Osun State Police Command to pressure officers into releasing a suspect linked to the Lameco banditry case.

I wish to state categorically and unequivocally that these allegations are false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.

First, neither I nor the other individuals mentioned in the allegation have been anywhere near the Osun State Police Command at any time within the last week. We travelled to Abuja on Friday and have remained here since then. It is therefore impossible for us to have visited the police headquarters or mounted any pressure on the Nigeria Police Force regarding the suspect in question.

Secondly, the allegations raise serious questions about the credibility and integrity of the so-called civil society organisation that made the claims. It is disturbing that a group that cannot openly identify itself would make such weighty accusations without a shred of evidence. The public deserves to know who these people are, who funds them, and whose interests they are serving.

Thirdly, there is every reason to suspect a connection between this faceless group and the Commissioner for Information, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, who has a well-established reputation for peddling propaganda and making unfounded allegations. Rather than hiding behind anonymous groups, the Commissioner should tell the people of Osun what he knows about the suspect and his apparent interest in the matter.

The Commissioner’s latest outburst is consistent with his history of making reckless claims against security agencies, particularly the Osun State Police Command. Osun residents will recall his repeated attacks on the police over the controversial and unsubstantiated claims surrounding the alleged assassination attempt on the son of Governor Ademola Adeleke, popularly known as B-Red. Time and again, facts have exposed the weakness of such politically motivated narratives.

It is unfortunate that instead of supporting security agencies in their efforts to tackle criminality, the state government appears more interested in politicising sensitive security matters and dragging innocent individuals into controversies for partisan gains.

We therefore challenge the Osun State Government and the Commissioner for Information to provide credible evidence in support of these allegations. If they cannot do so, they should immediately retract the false claims and apologise to the individuals whose reputations they have sought to tarnish.

Finally, while the government is busy manufacturing distractions, Osun people deserve answers regarding the management of the state’s security resources. The administration should provide a detailed account of how billions of naira allocated as security votes and security intervention funds have been spent, including the reported N14.9billion expended on Amotekun without purchase of security vehicles ,communication and surveillance equipment,under its watch. Transparency and accountability should apply to government officials as much as they demand it from others.

The people of Osun deserve facts, not propaganda; truth, not political theatre.

Prince Adebayo Adeleke (Banik)
Campaign Director for Osun Central
Osun APC.