Wale Adedayo, the former Chairman of Ijebu East local government, has been brought before an Abeokuta Magistrate Court by the Ogun State Police command.
This action follows a petition filed by the State government. Adedayo was arrested at his residence in Ijebu-Ife, Ogun State, and subsequently taken to the Command’s headquarters in Eleweran, where he spent the night.
He now faces a two-count charge in court, related to his letter containing allegations of fund diversion by the State Governor meant for Council Areas in the state.
The petition against Adedayo was titled “Petition against Wale Adedayo’s deliberate circulation of falsehood, false report to government, threat to life, and interference with the exercise of executive function.” It was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi.
The charges against him specifically pertain to the unlawful publication of a letter addressed to the former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
In this letter, Adedayo accused the present Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, of hijacking Local Government funds. These accusations are alleged to be false and likely to incite fear and alarm, thus disturbing public peace.
The defendant’s counsel, Kayode Akinsola, applied for Adedayo’s bail, asserting that the offenses he’s charged with are bailable. Inspector Olaide Rawlings, the Prosecutor, did not object to the bail application. The Magistrate, A.K. Araba, subsequently granted bail to Adedayo in the sum of N2 million, requiring two “responsible and reliable sureties” who are residents within the court’s jurisdiction and possess landed property with tax clearance.
Despite being granted bail, Adedayo was ordered to be remanded at the Ibara Correctional facility in Abeokuta until the bail conditions are met.
The trial has been scheduled for October 20, 2023.