Date Published: 12/05/09

House of Reps Election: Police invites Ogunniya, 3 others

Senator Gbenga Ogunniya, the Senator representing Ondo Central in the Senate was some minutes ago nabbed by the police while leading a convoy of police men in what is seen by many as an attempt to influence the conduct of the election into the House of Representatives from Akoko South East and Akoko South West Federal Constituency. Also invited were Gbenga Elegbeleye, representing Akoko North East and North West Federal constituency, Temitayo Fawehinmi of Ondo East and West Federal constituency and Emmanuel Adedeji of Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo/Odigbo Federal constituency all in the House of Representatives.

The AIG Zone 4, Mr. Muktar Abbas who spoke to journalists after the arrest said the Senator was invited to exchange information with the police. The police tops hot also said three ballot boxes were retrieved but did not say from who and where.

Our reporter in Oka, in Akoko South West where the incidence happened said there have been illegal movements of men said to be in the convoy of the Senator before the arrest. There were also attempts to snatch ballot boxes and papers by men said to be working closely with the senator from Ondo Central Senatorial District.

Under the Nigerian Electoral laws, men not in any way connected with elections, like Senator Ogunniya in this case are barred from interfering with the conduct of the election.

The media had been awash before now with stories of movement of policemen into the area without the knowledge of the State Police Command. The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Donald Iroha had denied any knowledge of such movements some days ago adding however that his men were ready to arrest any situation that may unfold.

Efforts to get the source of the recovered ballot boxes were not successful as the AIG Abbas volunettered no new information.

As at the time of writing this report, Senator Ogunniya was still being held at the Police Station in Oka.