Assault on motorist: Ekiti releases update, says complainant breached protocol as Ondo police takes over investigation
By Ade Alaba
The Government of Ekiti State has further explained the circumstances surrounding the row with a motorist who claimed the Governor’s convoy damaged his car.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode and made available to Irohinoodua, the State Government said its investigation revealed that the complainant, Mr Dayo Oshituyi drove recklessly ignoring warning signs while overtaking the convoy in a reckless manner.
The incidence took place in Akure few days ago.
Oyebode said on the said date, Mr. Oshituyi had been driving recklessly from behind and made to overtake the Governor’s convoy despite repeated warnings by the security operatives.
He said “In the process of dangerously overtaking the convoy of vehicles, he was faced with an oncoming truck from the opposite direction of the road which forced him to swerve dangerously into the convoy – an action which caused a minor accident that affected one of the vehicles usually reserved for the Governor. Mr. Oshituyi further sped off into another direction breaching public safety and almost causing another accident along the route.”
The state government said in consideration of the security situation in the country, and the need for appropriate tactical threat assessment to clarify if the incident was simply a case of reckless driving and not an attempt on the convoy, a detachment of security operatives pursued the fleeing driver while the convoy continued its journey.
“At the point of being apprehended when the security operatives caught up with him, Mr. Oshituyi refused to alight from the vehicle and chose instead to create a scene. He was let go because of the pleadings of passers-by and people living in the area, who can corroborate our position that he was not assaulted in anyway or form. We must reiterate that Mr. Oshitutyi’s claim that he was brutalised is just as untrue as his claim that the Governor was present during the altercation between him and the security operatives, which resulted from his indiscretions.”
The state Governmemt said the development was subsequently reported at the Okuta Elerinla Police Divisional Headquarters, Akure, Ondo State capital. We further inform members of the public that the Ondo State Police Command, in whose jurisdiction the incident took place, is presently investigating the matter.
“The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has a sustained interest in the outcome of the investigations and has urged the police to handle the matter professionally and ensure fairness to all parties concerned. As a responsible government that believes in the principles of the rule of law and fairness, further action on the matter is on hold pending the outcome of police investigations, which would guide our next steps. We assure members of the public that the Government of Ekiti State would not hesitate to recommend appropriate punitive measures against any of our officials who might be indicted, in line with the provisions of extant laws.”
Oyebode said the state government is pleased that consistent with his character, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi is well known for the civil and decorous way security details attached to him conduct themselves in the course of duty, which is why attempts by some detractors to use this development to cause disaffection against his person and office have failed.
Oyebode affirmed the commitment of the State Government to the protection of the fundamental rights of every citizen and assure that we would not do anything to jeopardise such rights.
“Regardless of the circumstances, we are interested in the well being of Mr. Oshituyi following the incident and invite him to maintain open lines of communication with the Governor’s Office through the undersigned in this regard, and towards the ends of justice and clarity about the facts of the matter,” he said