3rd July,
2020
PRESS
RELEASE:
EDE FURORE:
MURIC WADES IN
The
Nigerian social media has been awash with reports of the destruction of the
Muslim Hospital, Ede by a popular thug who goes by the name Ayo Olawuyi, a.k.a.
‘A.Y.’. The suspect went berserk when his brother, Mutiu Olawuyi, whom he
brought to the hospital in a critical condition gave up the ghost. He beat up
the doctor and destroyed the hospital building and equipment.
Reacting
to this incident, an Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern
(MURIC), has described the suspect’s attitude as bohemian and barbaric. This
was revealed in a press statement issued by Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director
of the organization on Friday, 3rd July, 2020.
The
Director explained further, “What happened in Ede on Friday 27th
June, 2020 is hard to believe. The police watched helplessly as a lone thug by
the name Ayo Olawuyi went berserk. He beat up the Medical Director, Dr. Mas’ud
Akanbi and went ahead smashing all the windows in the hospital. All the police
could do was shout at him, ‘Ayo, it is ok now. Ayo, it is enough now. Ayo, calm
down’.
“We are
shocked that the police made no attempt to arrest this lone hoodlum as he vent
his spleen on hospital windows and equipment. Even the chairman of the local
government who was at the scene was allegedly heard saying, ‘Only Baba Timi
(i.e. the Timi of Ede) can stop him.’
“MURIC
is disappointed by the attitude of the police in Ede. It is the height of
official cowardice and dereliction of duty to do nothing while a criminal
continues to damage public property. It is unprofessional, preposterous and
disgraceful. The tax-paying people of Ede who witnessed the carnage were left
at the mercy of the hoodlum. Surprisingly, he left the scene unchallenged.
“The only
saving grace was the state’s commissioner of Police, Olafimihan Adeoye. He
ordered the arrest of the culprit the next day and transferred the D.P.O with
immediate effect. We commend the state Commissioner of Police for righting the
wrong without wasting any time.
“However,
the culprit was allowed to go on bail with two sureties the next day because he
was strongly suspected to have contracted COVID-19. He was tested and allowed
to leave with the instruction that he must return when the result of his test is
ready.
“While we
appreciate the efforts of the Commissioner of Police, we call for strict
pursuance of due process in the case. The allusion to the
Timi of Ede as the only one who could stop him is pregnant with meanings. It may
be seen as an indictment of sorts. What kind of influence does the Timi wield
on a public nuisance whom the police treat with awe?
“Ayo
the thug must be rearrested and prosecuted for assault, battery and wilful damage.
Royal pressure or no royal pressure, there must be no coverup. We charge the
Osun State Police Command to adhere strictly to the principle of equality
before the law. Democracy and the rule of law are under threat in Ede. People
are no longer safe in that city. In particular, both the patients and staff of
the Muslim Hospital, Ede, are not safe as long as Ayo the thug still roams the
streets as a free man.
“There are
reports that Ede has become a den of thugs, hooligans, hoodlums and cultists. A
drastic operation is needed to flush out these unscrupulous elements. Such an
operation may not be successfully carried out with the present crop of police
officers on ground in the town. We therefore demand the transfer of key
officers in the division. Ede police division needs new brooms to be able to
sweep clean.
“In
addition, we call on the governor of the State of Osun, to prevail on the Timi
of Ede, not to drag the royal stool into disrespect through his hobnobbing with
undesirable elements in Ede town.”
Professor
Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights
Concern (MURIC)
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