The Osun State Government has asked a court to compel the police to investigate Senator Francis Fadahunsi over a viral video in which he allegedly urged APC supporters to attack members of the Accord Party.
The application, filed by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, SAN, comes two days before Saturday’s governorship election.
The suit, marked HOS/M.157/26, was filed at the Osun State High Court in Osogbo on 12th August.
The Inspector-General of Police and the Osun Commissioner of police are listed as respondents, while Fadahunsi is named as the affected or interested party.
The government said the video allegedly showed Fadahunsi addressing a political gathering in front of the Owa Obokun’s Palace in Ilesha on 11th August.
According to the court documents, the senator allegedly told APC supporters, “If you see any of them from now on to the day of the election, kill them.”
The state also alleged that Fadahunsi made threats against Accord members’ wives and children and called for the party’s supporters to be chased from hotels.
However, Fadahunsi has denied calling for violence.
He said the video was edited to distort his comments, arguing that he was referring to alleged attacks on APC members.
“The video was deliberately edited to distort what I actually said,” Fadahunsi said.
He added, “If the alleged killing of our party members by Accord Party thugs does not stop, our party will retaliate.”
The state government wants the police to obtain and preserve the “complete and unedited version” of the video for forensic examination.
It also wants the police to investigate whether the alleged comments constitute criminal offences and take preventive measures to protect Accord members, candidates and voters.
The application does not ask the court to determine Fadahunsi’s guilt, but to compel the police to investigate the allegations and perform their statutory duties.
Comments
Add a comment