Osun: Lawyers give INEC, police 7-day ultimatum over killings
…Coalition demands probe of videos involving Wole Oke, Fadahunsi, Eniade
By John Alechenu
ABUJA: The Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates (COPA) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force seven days to commence investigations and possible prosecution over alleged incitement and killings linked to the Osun State governorship election.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, COPA Coordinator, Ajibola Bello, said the matter “goes beyond political parties, election results and individual political interests.”
He said, “It concerns the sanctity of human life, the integrity of our electoral system and the fundamental principle that nobody is above the law.”
COPA referenced three videos it said had circulated during the election campaign, alleging that they contained statements capable of inciting violence or restricting voters from exercising their franchise.
According to the coalition, a video attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi contained a statement allegedly urging supporters to attack members of the Accord Party.
Bello said Ilesa and surrounding areas subsequently witnessed serious political violence, in which more than nine people were reportedly killed.
He said: “More disturbing is the video attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Following this statement, Ilesa and surrounding areas witnessed serious political violence in which more than nine persons were reportedly killed. We consider this an extremely grave matter.
“Where a serving Senator is recorded allegedly telling supporters to kill members of an opposing political party, and people subsequently lose their lives in election-related violence, the institutions established by law cannot simply look away.”
On statements attributed to Hon. Wole Oke, a leading figure in the APC governorship campaign, COPA cited a translated portion of a Yoruba-language video in which the speaker allegedly said: “Where Tinubu is, is where I am. Anyone who goes against Tinubu should be ready to face the consequences. We won’t say more than that.”
COPA noted that Esa-Oke, Oke’s hometown, also witnessed political violence, including the killing of a citizen.
Bello, however, cautioned against assuming criminal responsibility solely from the statements.
He said: “We are not saying that the statement, standing alone, establishes criminal responsibility for any subsequent killing. That determination belongs to investigators and ultimately the courts.
“What we are saying is that the statement and the violence that followed provide sufficient reason for a thorough and impartial investigation.”
The coalition also cited a video attributed to Francis Eniade, containing statements allegedly urging non-APC supporters, particularly members of the Accord Party, not to come out to vote.
It further alleged that Eniade specifically stated that the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, should not come out to vote.
“No Nigerian politician has the authority to determine who may exercise the constitutional right to vote,” Bello said.
COPA argued that the alleged statements were not merely political rhetoric, but potentially fell within provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 criminalising threats, incitement and attempts to prevent eligible voters from exercising their franchise.
“We particularly remind the Independent National Electoral Commission that it cannot present itself as a helpless observer in this matter,” Bello said.
He cited Section 148(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which, according to him, provides that prosecution of offences under the Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of INEC or legal practitioners appointed by the commission.
Bello said the provision gives INEC both the authority and responsibility to prosecute electoral offences.
He added that the police had a responsibility to investigate the allegations, authenticate the videos, interview witnesses, establish the identities of the speakers, examine the circumstances surrounding the reported violence and killings, and forward appropriate investigation files for prosecution.
COPA said it had received reports suggesting that inaction by the authorities was linked to the alleged suspects’ association with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We are therefore publicly calling upon both INEC and the Nigeria Police Force to demonstrate, through their actions, that these reports are false,” Bello said.
He asked: “If a member of Accord, PDP, ADC or any other opposition political party had been captured on video allegedly directing supporters to kill APC members, would the security agencies have remained silent?”
He added: “Nigeria cannot have one criminal justice system for members of the ruling party and another for everyone else.”
COPA demanded that within seven days, the police commence a transparent investigation, subject the videos to forensic authentication, invite the persons allegedly featured in them for questioning and investigate the reported killings.
The coalition also called on INEC to exercise its statutory prosecutorial powers under Section 148 of the Electoral Act 2026 and ensure that anyone against whom sufficient evidence establishes an electoral offence is charged before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Bello said: “We are not asking INEC or the Police to pronounce anyone guilty. We are demanding investigation, prosecution where the evidence meets the legal threshold, and determination of guilt or innocence by a court of competent jurisdiction. That is what the rule of law requires.”
COPA said it would monitor the response of INEC and the police over the next seven days and consider appropriate lawful steps if the institutions failed to act.
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