Daniel’s wife, others for prosecution for alleged violence

The Ogun State Truth Commission yesterday submitted its report and recommended that seven persons, including the wife of former Governor Gbenga Daniel, Olufunke, and a monarch, Oba Lateef Adeniran, be prosecuted for “engaging in acts of violence”.

The five-man panel, headed by Justice Pius Aderemi (rtd), sat for nearly eight months and heard cases of violence, killings, destruction of property, torture and disappearance of persons between April 2003 and May 29, last year, during the Daniel administration. 

Submitting the report to Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Abeokuta, the state capital, Justice Aderemi said: “In strict adherence to our terms of reference as contained in Clause 5 of the instrument establishing the commission, dated September 12, 2011, the commission recommends that the following persons (Funke Daniel and six others), who were shown conclusively by the petitions considered by us to have engaged in acts of either political violence, abuse of office or hooliganism, should be prosecuted by the Attorney-General of Ogun State.” 

Others listed for prosecution are: former Sports Commissioner, Mr Bukola Olopade; ex-Abeokuta South Local Government chairman, Akeem Odejimi Ologbowon; Moruf Odejinmi Ologbowon, Jamiu Olododo and the Baale of Oke-Egan, Saburi Kehinde Ayoade.

The panel was mandated to make recommendations on how to avert a recurrence.

It found a prima facie case of criminal offences against the seven, based on the complaints by their victims or relatives of victims.

Mrs Daniel is to be prosecuted for an assault on a former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Tunde Oladunjoye, and his Personal Assistant, Odunaya Rasheed.

Justice Aderemi said the former governor’s wife led armed policemen, government officials and political thugs to Ijebu-Itele, Oladunjoye’s home town. 

The panel said Oladunjoye established a criminal offence against Mrs. Daniel, adding that she ordered armed police escorts to beat the former chairman in his house.

Justice Aderemi said: “It is the view of the commission that the victim established a prima facie case of criminal offence against Mrs. Olufunke Daniel. She undoubtedly held herself out as a public officer by moving to the petitioner’s home with armed police escorts and ordering the policemen to beat up Mr. Odunaya.

“The proven excesses of Mrs. Daniel arose from the widespread abuse of spouses of governors and Presidents when there is no legal basis for the office of First Lady in Nigeria.”

Ologbonwon was recommended for prosecution in connection with the alleged murder of Gbenga Apolola whose body is still missing.  

Apolola’s remains were said to have been taken away and hidden in an unknown location by his assailants.

The panel chair said: “The commission recommends that Ologbowon be prosecuted for the murder of the late Gbenga Apolola, whose body could not be found as it was allegedly removed by his assailants. 

“The commission holds the view that the fact that the body was not found is irrelevant. The absence of a body is no longer an obstacle to conviction in a charge of murder.”

Ologbonwon was also recommended for prosecution for attacking the home of Ojelades in April 2007, resulting in the murder of Chief Ojelade.