7th December, 2023
PRESS RELEASE:
CHARGE ABDUCTORS OF BARRISTER LAWAL TO COURT:
MURIC TELLS OYO CP
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police has been taken to task over alleged procrastination in the case of Barrister Abdul Waheed Olatunde Lawal who was abducted and severely beaten by thugs loyal to the Baale of Ilua, Mr. Kilani Ajani Azeez Omofoyewa on 13th November, 2023.
An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Oyo State Police Command of foot-dragging over the issue. The group wants the police to charge the identified suspects to court without any delay.
MURIC said:
“Four weeks after some hooligans abducted and molested an Ibadan lawyer and Muslim rights activist, Barrister Abdul Waheed Olatunde Lawal, the suspects are still walking the streets freely.
“Barrister Abdul Waheed Olatunde Lawal was abducted on 13th November, 2023 and taken to the palace of the Baale of Ilua, Mr. Kilani Ajani Azeez Omofoyewa. Our press statement of 27th November gave graphic details of the ugly incident (https://championnews.com.ng/abduction-molestation-of-barrister-lawal-muric-demands-justice/).
“Although the police arrested some suspects, they were not detained or charged to court. They are now roaming the streets freely. The growing fear is that the police has developed cold feet on the matter.
“In particular, the man who gave the lawyer a deadly slap in the video has been identified as Akeem Azeez Olowosokedile. He is suspected to be one of the Baale’s thugs. This man strolls unperturbed on the streets of Ilua. The same applies to Mubarak Waheed, the video recorder and chief interrogator.
“Criminality, impunity and lawlessness will continue to flourish as long as criminals get away with their crimes and as long as those who are assigned the task of upholding the law by apprehending culprits continue to indulge them.
“MURIC charges the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State to take responsibility by doing the needful without further delay. Police inaction in the matter of kidnap and severe beating of Barrister Lawal is tantamount to deliberate denial of Allah-given fundamental human rights of the victim. The identified suspects should be charged to court without any delay.”
#CommissionerOfPoliceOyo
#BarristerLawalAbductors
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
