By Akin Omobusuyi
Nigerians have been warned to desist from reports without facts aimed at tarnishing the image of areested High Chief Banji Olowofela and indigene of Igbara-Odo,in Ekiti State.
Pa Olowofela was arrested by Kwara security operatives but details of the reason for his arrest are yet to be given by the police amidst online reports describing him as the sponsor of kidnappers
In a statement signed Igbara-Odo, Development Council (IDC), the community cautioned media owners to beware of propaganda and unfounded allegations.
The Secrtary Ayo Adekoya-Benson signed the statement made available to Irohinoodua
The comminity said
“as of today, lies, falsehood and baseless story” being peddled around on the social media have neither been substantiated by any law enforcement agent in Nigeria or elsewhere neither has any judicial authority indicted or pronounced him guilty of any criminal offence in Nigeria or elsewhere.
The town stated “Also, no law enforcement agency has issued or published any official statement regarding his arrest up till this moment.”
The community warned of legal consequences if the attack on Pa Olowofela continues warning that many uninformed people are being used to change the narrative of the whole sad event.
The community said Olowofela is a qualified Civil Engineer of many decades and that even the police or any security institution has not mentioned his connection with kidnapping except the unfounded reports being circulated by some unprofessional individuals. The community expressed curiosity about the fact that Pa Olowofela was singled out for ridicule when no official security operative has categorically mentioned his offense.
The IDU said that Olowofela is a 1969 graduate of the prestigious University of Lagos, a foremost Legislator, the indefatigable Asamo of Igbara-Odo Kingdom, an illustrious and prominent son of Igbara – Odo, an accomplished businessman and a father of many graduates who are leading lights in their various chosen careers, and making exploits at home and in the diaspora.
The community said contrary to the bad media and campaign of calumny being launched by mischief makers against the person and the good name that Chief Olowofela has built over the decades, High Chief (Engr.) Olowofela has been a man of impeccable character right from his childhood up till this moment and has contributed not in small measure to the development of Igbara-Odo Kingdom.
“He has contributed to the economic and political development of Ekiti State and Nigeria at large. He was a foremost and prominent scholar and politician who served meritoriously as the first Majority Leader of the old Ondo State House of Assembly in the Second Republic. He did not only serve as Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the first Executive Governor of Ekiti State.”
The community said he was a Governorship Aspirant in Ekiti State in the current political dispensation.
The community said while it is mportant to state that law enforcement agents should be left to thoroughly investigate and probe into the unfounded allegations levelled against “our revered political, business and traditional Leader”, the Igbara-Odo Development Council (IDC) – the think tank, apex social – cultural group and leaders of thought of Igbara-Odo Ekiti – caution, in the strongest of terms, the barefaced bloggers hiding behind the cyberspace to henceforth desist from their ongoing social media trial as well as derogatory and humiliating attack on the person, personality and image of Chief Olowofela who, unfortunately at this time, is unable to confront his faceless accussers.
The community said for the benefit of those who do not know the moral, ethical and legal implications of circulating falsehood against innocent citizens, “we warn that you cease and desist from acts capable of exposing you to a judicial action that attract heavy punishment under the Nigerian law.”
