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The Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has ordered a probe of the
Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olanrewaju Akeredolu, for allegedly
detaining her half brother, Olupelumi Fagboyegun, for three years
Fagboyegun had in a trending video accused the Chief Judge of causing
his arrest and detention because he went to their father’s home.
He said, “The Honourable Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, I am calling you to please rescue me from the hands of the Ondo
State Judiciary that is being run like a family affair that if you don’t
know anybody you cannot get justice.
“I have been living abroad for the past 30 years, I came on holiday to
Nigeria to my father’s house because I share the same father with the
Chief Judge of Ondo State. I was arrested at my father’s place. I was
locked up, was charged with forceful entry into my father’s house.
“Even if I was convicted of this crime, it only carries one year prison
penalty but I am being on open remand for the past three years. This
case has been going on for the past three years because the Chief Judge
is using her power to influence the judicial system. I have been unable
to get justice. They have changed judges five times, they have
re-arraigned me five times, they have changed their charges five times
case and up till today February 15, 2021, that I am talking to you, the
case is still pending. Please, come and rescue me.
“The Ondo State Government cannot help me because the Ondo State
Government is a family business. Buhari, help me from the hands of this
woman to go back to my family. I want to go back to my children. I am a
single parent. This woman is keeping me here for the past three years
for coming to my father’s house. Please, help me, I want to go back to
my family.”
Reacting to the video, Akeredolu said he had instructed the state
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Titiloye Charles, to
investigate the allegation.
“I have instructed my AG to investigate the allegation. We will ensure
the investigation is thorough, fair and transparent,” the governor
posted on Twitter.
In view of this, the AGF in a statement on Tuesday directed the
Department of Public Prosecutions to immediately investigate the
allegation made against the Chief Judge.
“The Attorney General of Ondo State and Commissioner for Justice, Sir
Charles Titiloye, has directed the Department of Public Prosecutions to
immediately investigate the allegation made against the Chief Judge of
Ondo state, Hon. Justice 0. O. Akeredolu, by Mr Olupelumi Fagboyegun
(her brother) in a video that went viral on social media platform on the
15th of February, 2015 wherein he alleged that Ondo State judiciary and
courts were being used by the Chief Judge to persecute him and keep him
in custody for the past three years on trumped-up criminal allegation of
unlawful entry into his father’s house.
“The Attorney General, Sir Charles Titiloye, noted that the
investigation into the matter will be thorough, fair and transparent in
order to assure the public that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN)
administration in Ondo State is determined to preserve the integrity of
the courts and the judiciary and ensure that it remains the last hope of
the common man.
“The Hon. A.G. who assumed office on the 30th November 2020 (two months
ago) said his office has yet to be briefed of the criminal case and have
directed the Department of Public Prosecution in the Ministry of Justice
to investigate the allegation contained in the online video clips and
report back to him within 24 hours.”