It seems you’ve provided information about a statement made by Mr. Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, regarding the Chairman of the Ijebu East Local Government in Ogun State, Mr. Wale Adedayo, who was in custody at the Department of State Services (DSS). In his statement, Mr. Falana advised the DSS to release Mr. Adedayo from custody. He also advised the Ogun state governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, to consider suing for libel if he believes the accusations made against him by Adedayo are false or defamatory.
Femi Falana is a well-known human rights lawyer in Nigeria who has been involved in various legal cases and advocacy efforts related to human rights and civil liberties. His call for the release of Mr. Adedayo and suggestion regarding a potential libel lawsuit reflects his commitment to legal and human rights principles.
His words: “Last week, the Chairman of the Ijebu East Local Government, Ogun State, Mr. Wale Adedayo accused the State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun of diverting the statutory allocations of the 20 local governments in the State. Shortly thereafter, the Council boss was invited by the Ogun State Command of the State Security Service (SSS). However, when he turned up for the invitation on 1st September 2023, he was asked to respond to the petition submitted to the Command by the State Government.
“In the said petition, it was alleged that Mr. Adedayo had instigated widespread acts of public disturbance and chaos in Ijebu East Local Government. Even though the embattled Council boss denied the allegation of instigating acts of public disturbance, the State Security Service has decided to detain him due to his refusal to withdraw the allegation leveled against Governor Abiodun
“Even though 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 regard to the facts and circumstances of this particular case, I am compelled to request the Ogun State Command of the SSS to release Mr. Adedayo from custody forthwith”.
