The Ekiti State Police Command, yesterday, added a new twist to the controversy over the arrest, arraignment and remand of the Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, for alleged murder.
The police said the victim who died during the attack at Obasoyin’s hotel was an armed robber killed in self-defence by the monarch’s boys.
The monarch and five others were on Wednesday remanded in Ado-Ekiti Prison following their arraignment before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged conspiracy, attempted murder and murder.
There was tension in the Odo Oja area of the town on Thursday where the Olukere’s palace is located as his chiefs and subjects demanded for his unconditional release, alleging victimisation.
They asked questions on how the Olukere, who was the complainant in the case, suddenly became the accused and clamped into detention.
A chief under Olukere, the Saya, Chief Foluso Olowolafe, alleged that the state government was behind Obasoyin’s travail, an action the government had since denied.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, the deceased stabbed a loyalist of Olukere who trailed the gang that attacked the hotel to Ojumose area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Adeyemi said the police received a report by the monarch that armed robbers attacked his hotel, so the SARS unit mobilised with his boys, trailed the robbers to Ojumose in Ado-Ekiti.
The police spokesperson said the robbers used a bottle to stab one person in the Olukere’s entourage, and in defence, one of the robbers was stabbed and he died and the other one was injured and was receiving treatment.
