Charges Withdrawn Against Ekiti Commissioner And Others.......Police

The Nigeria Police Force, earlier today withdrew the terrorism charges filed against Finminiyi Afuye, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and 11 others.

In a Notice of Discontinuance filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the police stated that it was due to the directive of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

“With due respect my lord, I have found it convenient to inform this Honourable Court of our intention to discontinue the above pending case due to Attorney-General’s directive in the matter,” the police stated in the notice signed by Torugbene Oloye, a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

“This discontinuance is also necessitated by the need for further investigation in the case,” the police added.

Mr. Afuye, 57; Idowu Aladejebi, 68; Afuye Jide, 30; Anisulowo Kayode,46; Azeez Suleiman, 19; and Ajayi Idowu, 18, were facing a three-count of committing terrorism, conspiracy, and inducing others to commit acts of terrorism.

The other suspects were Babadi Ajayi, 35; Abiodun Omoniyi, 68; Oyedapo Olaoluwa, 29; Sunday Olalere, 27; Dapo David, 26; and Akinyemi Tayo, 25.

The police alleged that the accused persons had, on the night of June 8, used dangerous weapons at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, resulting in destruction of property, death of one Peter Akin, and injuries to several other persons.

The charges are punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act of 2013, the police had stated in their charge sheet filed by Mr. Oloye.

Though the accused persons were to be arraigned on Wednesday, the police prosecutor failed to turn up in court.

Femi Falana, counsel to the accused persons, said that although the police had filed the Notice of Discontinuance of the “vexatious” charge, the accused persons were yet to be released from custody.

“However, Mr. Afuye was granted bail by the High Court sitting at Ado Ekiti,” Mr. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said in a statement.

“While thanking the media and all democratic forces for condemning the abuse of prosecutorial powers by the police, it is hoped that never again will the provisions of the anti-terrorism laws (Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011,) be invoked to harass innocent people of Nigeria,” he added.