Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole made an appearance at the Federal House of Representatives on Wednesday, seeking help on unravelling the mysteries surrounding last year’s killing of his Principal Private Secretary, Olaitan Oyerinde.
Accompanied by human rights activist and former President of the West African bar Association (WABA), Mr. Femi Falana, Oshiomhole claimed that the Police’s pick as mastermind of the murder had been in Police custody since April 24th, 2012 prior to the death of his aide.
Appearing before the House Committee on Public Petitions chaired by Hon. Uzo Azubike, he claimed that the Police was frustrating all his efforts to track the investigation.
“Almost a year after, they cannot produce the call log supposedly used to implicate David Ugbolor, who was in Police custody as at 24th April 2012),” he lamented. “Those responsible have prevailed on the Police for help to shield them from prosecution.”
He condemned Police recommendation of promotion for both DIG Gana and Esike who supervised the investigations, instead saying they ought to be sacked for implicating the innocent David Ugbolor.
Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) lamented the discrepancies in the claims of different security agencies on the murder, saying AGF’s office would have proceeded with the judicial aspect of the case had there been a unified position.
“The Police and the State Security Service (SSS) forwarded two different believable reports to AGF’s office and we don’t know which one to act upon. We are confused,” said Mr. O. T. Olatigbe, a deputy director in the ministry, who represented the AGF.
“We need further investigations. We have two reports and both are convincing but we don’t know who to believe.”
But Deputy Inspector General, Peter Gana, who represented the IGP, countered Oshiomhole’s claims, describing them as false, baseless and intended to mislead the public. He accused the governor of taking advantage of his exalted position to smear the reputation of the Police and the character of its officers.
Similarly, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the investigation, Chris Esike, accused Oshiomhole of undermining the investigation with “false, unfounded and diversionary” allegations.
In his reactions, Chairman of the Committee opposed the position of the AGF, saying it ideally should be able to separate the true murder report from the false one.
“It is unfortunate,” he said. “It is shameful and embarrassing that in a situation like this, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation is confused when the president of the country and everyone are looking up to you. It is sad to note that the Office of the AGF is confused.”
