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A civil rights group, Veteran Organization for Human Rights (VOHRI), has asked the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr. Shina Olukolu, to intervene in what it called “a case of conspiracy, intimidation, assault and serious threat” allegedly perpetrated by some police operatives of the Iyaganku Police Station Ibadan.
In petition signed by its Lead Activist, Comrade Ayobami Sakirullahi and Secretary, Comrade Abimbola Adekunle, VOHRI alleged that the police operatives of wrongfully detaind two men, Mr. Kayode Omoboye and Alhaji Abideen Iyiola Alade between Thursday 26th and Friday 27th September, 2019, releasing them only after a sum of N50,000 was paid.
The group urged the CP to order a thorough investigation into how Alade, who went to report a case at the state CID, Iyaganku, as a complainant, suddenly became the accused.
According to the petition, there was a dispute between Alade and one Wasiu Alebiosu over the allocation of shops at Gbagi Market. It was gathered that Alade got the state approval for a parcel of land consisting of five shops from which he transfered three to some people.
The petition said Alebiosu in company of one Sumaila Welder, came to request for one of the shops and later came for the last one which Alade was not ready to release. While they were still haggling over the cost of the shops which were still being developed, Alade reportedly travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.
The petition explained as follows: “The duo of Wasiu Alebiosu and Sunmaila Welder later brought seven hundred thousand (N700,000) and a receipt was issued to that effect. When the development of the shops got to a stage, Wasiu Alebiosu came to request for the remaining one shop. He (Alh. Abideen) told him that he could not release the remaining one. Alebiosu later went to some elders of Gbagi Market executives to mediate. He brought down one million naira out of which five hundred thousand was received but without any receipt. This was done on the premise that the total amount each shop would cost, will be determined at the end of the construction work.
“Alhaji Abideen Iyiola Alade then travelled to Mecca for the 2019 Hajj operation. Wasiu Alebiosu lent him two hundred thousand naira (N200,000) and another fifty thousand naira twice (totaling three hundred thousand) before his return from Mecca, four shops had been floor-tiled and renovated and locked up.
“A report was made to Gbagi Divisional Police where the IPO, Officer Attah made frantic effort, went to the shop premises for verification. As this went on, Wasiu Alebiosu told the Gbagi executives pleading with them to allow the matter to be settled out of the Police station. The investigation was then ordered by the executives to be suspended. Both Alh. Abideen Iyiola and Wasiu Alebiosu were brought together for amicable settlement.
“In the parley, Wasiu Alebiosu claimed to have expended three hundred and fifty thousand naira (N350,000) on the shops while Alh. Abideen was away for Hajj. Alh. Abideen said at the meeting that was no agreement between him and Alebiosu to that effect, so his claim was null and void. When the closed shops were opened, Alh. Abideen saw two of the shops already floor-tiled, this infuriated him and went straight to CID Iyanganku for intervention.
“The OC anti-robbery introduced him to 2IC for a petition to be written in that regard. Twenty thousand naira (N20,000) was collected for the petition and another twenty thousand naira (N20,000) for effecting the arrest of the suspect. Wasiu Alebiosu was later arrested and detained. The Gbagi elders forum later came in pleading that Wasiu should be released from police custody, the case was later settled and Alebiosu was released.
“The case was later brought for amicable settlement again at the instance of the Gbagi Market executives who pleased that Alh. Abideen should release the two shops to Wasiu Alebiosu promising that an amount of one million naira would be given to Alh. Abideen as compensation.
“The following day, when money had passed hands between the defendant (Wasiu Alebiosu) and the Police, Alh. Abideen Iyiola and his Manager, Kayode Omoboye, were invited to CID, Iyanganku where they were detained, beat up with thick electric wire cable and were handcuffed like armed robbers. This drama occurred on Thursday 26th September, 2019. They were released on the 27th Sept, 2019 with fifty thousand naira bail (evidence ‘C’). They were later made to write false allegations against themselves under serious duress and threat to life. Alh. Abideen Muscle Camry Car is being detained at Iyaganku as we write. Both Kayode (Manager) and Alh. Abideen were later taken to hospital for treatment.
“On Sunday 29th September, 2019, the Bola Ige International Market executives later called intervention and settlement. They instructed Wasiu Alebiosu to pay nine hundred thousand (N900,000) to Alh. Abideen Iyiola as compensation on the shops, and three shops be released to Wasiu Alebiosu.
“The Police brutality and conspiracy on him and his Manager was not addressed, so this did not go down well with Alh. Abideen Iyiola Abiola, hence this petition.”
The group demands that, “Consequent upon intimidation harassment, torture and exhortation by the Police to the tune of ninety thousand naira (N90,000) and impoundment of Alh. Abideen Iyiola Abiola by officers of CID Iyaganku (Oloye, Femi and Oosa) contrary to criminal code 98, 99 and 101 and section 34 (1)a,b & c of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, 2011 as amended, we are appealing to you Sir, to use your good offices to order through investigation to unravel the mystery of how a compliant suddenly became an accused in a case in which Alh. Abideen Iyiola Abiola took to CID, Iyaganku himself.”