Femi Awogboro, media aide to former Minister of Power and 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, has warned individuals linking Adelabu’s personal assistant, Ajiboye Sangogade, to the kidnapping of the ex-minister’s younger sister and her twin sons to desist from the “fabricated narrative” or face legal action.
Awogboro, in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday, said Sangogade had no involvement in the kidnapping of Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, Adelabu’s younger sister, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul, warning that “those peddling the rumour desist or face legal action.”
He described the allegations as “false, malicious, and uncalled for,” adding that those pointing accusing fingers at Sangogade were trying to tarnish his image and reputation.
“It has come to our notice that some individuals, who are enemies of progress and of the state, are peddling rumours that the Personal Assistant to Adelabu, Sangogade, orchestrated the kidnapping of Adelabu’s sister and nephews in Ibadan.
“The recent press statement and interview by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, concerning the kidnapping incident, exonerated Sangogade from the allegation as his name was never mentioned in the police briefing as part of the kidnapping syndicate,” the statement read.
Awogboro further queried those spreading the rumour, asking them to point out where the PPRO mentioned Sangogade in his briefing, adding that the police spokesperson only mentioned one Segun in connection with the case and never linked Sangogade to the incident in any way.
He argued that those alleging Sangogade’s involvement were doing so to score political points, noting that not everything should be politicised.
The aide said, “Their lies and cooked-up stories have been exposed by the police account of the incident. These same set of people also lied against Adelabu by claiming that he ceded the party ticket for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election to his PA, Ajiboye, who is not from the constituency. Meanwhile, Wale Olatunji emerged as the flag bearer of the party for the election.
“This is not the first time they have been peddling lies and rumours. So, we urge the public and party members not to fall for their tricks.”
He further described Sangogade as a man of good reputation with impeccable pedigree and antecedents.
The aide insisted that Adelabu’s PA could not and would not be involved in such an act, adding that “those spreading the fake news are defaming Sangogade’s impeccable character.”
“We therefore reject the claim in totality because we know he does not know or have a hand in the incident as being speculated. Any further attempt to tarnish Sangogade’s image and reputation will be rejected vehemently, and the camp will ensure that whoever is found guilty is brought to justice,” he added.
It was reported that John-Paul and her twin sons were abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, in Ibadan.
They were abducted at Elewura-Challenge in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of the state.
The abduction was carried out by armed attackers who were said to have trailed the car conveying the victims from their home before flagging them down at about 7:30 a.m. at the scene of the incident.
Consequently, the state Commissioner of Police, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, on Sunday, June 7, paraded four suspects arrested in connection with the abduction.
Parading the suspects at the state Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, the CP urged residents to remain vigilant and report fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate.
Items recovered from the suspects included three pump-action rifles, 14 live cartridges, an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla allegedly used during the abduction, criminal charms, a battle axe, a hammer, substances suspected to be hard drugs, and two face masks.
The building was later demolished in the early hours of Monday, June 8, by the state government, and the land was revoked.
The PUNCH