Ousted Ogun council boss arraigned for false publication
Former chairman of Ijebu East Local Government of Ogun State, Mr. Wale Adedayo, has been arraigned at a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Abeokuta, for unlawful publication of false accusations against Governor Dapo Abiodun.
The charges against Adedayo claimed that he knew his allegations were false and likely to cause public disturbance and damage to the governor’s reputation, but proceeded to publish them.
The veteran journalist and politician was removed from office on September 14 by the local government councillors over alleged financial mismanagement.
He was subsequently arrested by the police on Monday and taken to the Police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
He had also spent time at the Department of State Security Service (DSS) in Abeokuta where the secret police grilled him for hours over his funds diversion and zero-allocation allegations against the governor.He was, however, arraigned yesterday following a petition by the state government titled: “Petition against Wale Adedayo’s deliberate circulation of falsehood, false report to government, threat to life and interference with the exercise of executive function.”
The petition was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi.
Kayode Akinsola, counsel for Adedayo, confirmed the arraignment to The press.
Akinsola said Adedayo was granted N2million bail and was required to also produce two responsible and reliable sureties, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, possess landed property with valid tax clearance.
The application for bail by Akinsola was without objection by the prosecution police officer, Inspector Olaide Rolly.
The Magistrate, A. K. Araba, granted the bail application and ordered that Adedayo be remanded at Ibara Correctional Centre, Abeokuta, pending fulfilment of the bail conditions and adjourned the case till October 20, 2023.
