By Jeffrey Agbo
Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Ekiti State Police Command of attempting to cover up the alleged assassination attempt against him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti.
Sowore made the allegation in a statement following the reported arraignment of 11 persons allegedly arrested in connection with the attack at Tawakalitu Restaurant in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, October 30, 2026.
He claimed that none of the principal suspects identified by his team had been arrested or brought before a court, describing the arraignment as a calculated attempt to divert attention from the alleged attempted murder.
“For the avoidance of doubt, none of the principal perpetrators we have publicly identified have been arrested, let alone brought before a court to answer for the attack,” he said.
“We consider this arraignment a calculated diversion from the serious crime of attempted murder and an apparent attempt to shield those who planned, sponsored, coordinated and executed the attack.”
The AAC presidential candidate said his team’s investigations had identified 12 individuals and government officials whose alleged actions and connections to the incident required urgent and independent criminal investigations.
Among those he named was Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who he said should answer questions over allegations linking people associated with his administration to the attack.
Sowore said his team had traced some of the stolen devices to locations around the Governor’s Lodge and Office.
He also called for an investigation into the state’s Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, over the command’s handling of the incident.
According to him, the police commissioner should explain why the attack was initially described as a mere altercation, as well as allegations surrounding the handling of the crime scene, removal of CCTV equipment and possible suppression or destruction of evidence.
Sowore further called for an investigation into the governor’s Chief Security Officer, CSP Ayodele Akinlua, over an alleged warning that his safety could not be guaranteed if he proceeded with political activities in Ekiti State.
He also named the state Director of the Department of State Services and relevant operatives, alleging that DSS personnel provided location intelligence and operational assistance to the attackers.
Others listed in the statement include Adenijo Sola, popularly known as Solar; Omotuyi Temitope, alias Tope Jinadu Small; former National Association of Nigerian Students president and presidential aide, Asefon Sunday Dayo; and Governor Oyebanji’s Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode.
The AAC candidate also called for the questioning of Makinde Araoye and other organisers of the Ikogosi Marathon over his alleged exclusion from the event and any information they might have had about threats to his safety.
He identified Ayodeji Akintade Ifeoluwa, popularly known as AK, as another person requiring investigation, alleging that footage of the attack linked him to wielding a machete and attacking one of his team members.
Sowore also named the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority, Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, and Lere Olayinka Aresa, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
“These 12 individuals and officials have been identified for investigation based on information gathered by our team. Their inclusion will hasten the investigations,” he stated.
He demanded that the Nigeria Police Force explain why the principal individuals identified by his team had not been invited for questioning.
The activist also questioned the alleged wiping of CCTV recordings from equipment reportedly removed from the restaurant and demanded information about the whereabouts of phones and other devices stolen during the attack.
“We demand the immediate disclosure of the charges filed against them and the evidence linking them to the attack including why the victims of attack were not contacted before arraignment,” he said.
Sowore further demanded the immediate removal or suspension of the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police pending an independent investigation into his command’s handling of the incident.
He urged the Inspector-General of Police to constitute an independent investigative team, secure and forensically examine available CCTV recordings, recover the stolen devices and preserve electronic and communication evidence.
He also insisted that everyone credibly linked to planning, financing, executing or concealing the attack must be investigated.
“Arraigning 11 persons does not amount to justice if those who organized and sponsored the violence remain untouched. We will not accept a cosmetic prosecution designed to create the appearance of accountability while the central questions remain unanswered,” he said.
“Every person against whom credible evidence of criminal involvement is established must be prosecuted, regardless of political office, security position or personal connections.”
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