APC Chieftain Tasks N’Assembly on Review of Criminal Justice System

Victor  Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode Ojo, has called on the National Assembly to review the country’s criminal justice system to prevent those alleged of politically-motivated killings from being detained endlessly.

Ojo said some governors were allegedly  hiding under the law, which permitted endless incarceration of those alleged of complicity in criminal charges, especially murder, to victimise opposition, describing this as dangerous to the country’s judicial process.

On the crisis trailing the death of senator representing Osun West, Isiaka Adeleke, Ojo appealed to politicians in Osun State, particularly  members of APC not to allow Adeleke’s demise to cause rancour and unwarranted suspicion that could stoke the ember of discord and rob the party of victory in 2018.

Ojo expressed the concern in Ado Ekiti yesterday when he paid a visit to the APC chieftains imprisoned at the Ado Prison to donate food items and cash for their welfare inside  custody.

The aspirant expressed concern over the plight of some APC chieftains incarcerated in Ado Ekiti Prisons over alleged obvious political oppression.

Those being imprisoned are: The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader in Ekiti Prince Niyi Adedipe (Apase), Rotimi Olabiwonnu (Mentilo), Sola Adenijo (Solar), Bayo Aderiye (Ojuigo), Ajayi Kayode, Sola Durodola, and Osi Farotimi.

They have been in the prison for over two and half years  over  the death of the late Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ekiti, Chief Omolafe Aderiye, who was assassinated in Ado Ekiti on September 24 , 2014

Addressing  journalists after visiting the political detainees in the prison, Ojo, who was touched by their plights, expressed resentment over the victimisation, assuring that the party will take all necessary legal and administrative steps to address the perceived injustice against them.

“This is a clear case of political victimization. How can somebody be detained for close to three years without diligent prosecution? The police filed charges against them but lacked evidence to prosecute the case and they are still being held in spite of this  open fact.

“It is high time the National Assembly in conjunction with the National Judicial Council reviewed the criminal justice system that will ensure justice for those being persecuted over political beliefs.

“I will suggest to the National Assembly to carry out review that will stipulate specific time those falling victims of such should be in prison after which they can be released on bail pending the time police can have evidence against them after conclusion of investigation

“But  a situation whereby police will just pick  a suspect up and charge him to court and only for the judge to order his imprisonment even before evidence are produced is a great injustice that must not be allowed to exist in the constitution , because such will constitute a crime against God and humanity if someone is found to be innocent after being detained for more than five years,” he said.

  

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