Lawyer seeks prosecution of senator over alleged threats ahead of Osun election

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has criticized the release of Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who was questioned by police over alleged threats against Accord Party members in a viral video. Effiong urged the Inspector-General of Police to prosecute the senator, asserting that his remarks could escalate political tensions just before the Osun State governorship election.

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The Senator’s incendiary statement has heightened the already tense political atmosphere in the state, which may lead to a breakdown of law and order and negatively affect voter turnout in the forthcoming election.

Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, was summoned by the Osun State Police Command after a video circulated online where he appeared to threaten Accord Party members in Ilesa. The senator later clarified that his statement was intended to mean defeating the party through votes, not physical harm. However, Effiong dismissed this explanation as "pedestrian, childish and feeble," labeling the alleged statement as "highly unfortunate, condemnable, reckless and irresponsible," especially given the charged political climate in Osun.

Effiong contends that the senator's inflammatory statement has heightened the existing political tension in the state, potentially leading to a breakdown of law and order and impacting voter turnout. He also suggested the remarks could undermine the electoral process by inciting conflict between supporters of different parties, potentially deterring voters from exercising their right to choose candidates freely.

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I am aware that the Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun State Police Command invited the Senator for questioning and subsequently released him. This shows that the Osun State Police Command has already taken sides and appears unwilling to take further action against the Senator.

While Effiong acknowledged that the Osun State Police Command's Criminal Investigation Department questioned and subsequently released Fadahunsi, he condemned the decision to take no further action. "This shows that the Osun State Police Command has already taken sides and appears unwilling to take further action against the Senator," he stated. Consequently, Effiong implored the Inspector-General of Police to immediately bring Fadahunsi before a competent court to demonstrate a commitment to securing the electoral process.

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It is on this note that I call on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to immediately arraign the Senator in a court of competent jurisdiction, in order to demonstrate to Nigerians that his commitment to securing the electoral process in