Falana asks DSS to release detained Ogun LGA chair, advises Abiodun to sue for libel

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Wale Adedayo, the suspended and detained chairman of Ijebu east LGA of Ogun state.

Last week, Adedayo accused Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, of hijacking funds meant for the LGAs in the state.

Adedayo alleged that Abiodun has been withholding the statutory federal allocations due to the LGAs for the last two years.

The embattled LGA chairman in a letter begged Olusegun Osoba, former governor of the state, to wade into the matter.

However, Adedayo was suspended by seven councillors of the LGA’s legislative council.

The local legislators said they received different petitions concerning allegations that needed to be investigated.

The councillors also directed Adedayo to appear in its next sitting on September 14.

Reacting to the development in a statement on Sunday, Falana advised Abiodun to sue Adedayo for libel.

“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),” the statement reads.

“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 levelled 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 regards 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.”