ADVERTISEMENT

We are innocent of ex-Attorney General’s murder, ‎ex-Osun lawmaker insists

Chief Bola Ige was serving as a minister under the PDP-controlled FG when he was murdered in his Ibadan home on Dec. 23, 2001.

The Late Bola Ige

Oyediran, who spoke at the 15-year remembrance and memorial lecture of Odunayo Olagbaju, was a lawmaker on the ticket of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Osun between 1999 and 2001.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olagbaju was a member of the Osun State House of Assembly representing Odo-Otin Constituency on the ticket of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD).

He was killed few metres away from his Ile-Ife residence, in 2001, in the wake of the political crisis that rocked Osun.

ADVERTISEMENT

Oyediran, who claimed he lost his investment in a pharmaceutical store and his wife before regaining his freedom, said that those accusing them needed to be probed for Bola Ige’s death.

According to him, I have no regrets. The only regret I have is that the people we fought for did not deserve it.

“That struggle also had a little of youthful exuberance. We didn’t fight that struggle with enough maturity that time.

“We fought a good fight; we identified with the right people, but we could have also done it in a different way or with a different approach.

“All the 25 of us that were arrested in relation to the death of Bola Ige are innocent.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We didn’t know anything about it. I spent almost two years in prison custody. I lost everything; I am a pharmacist; I lost my chemist and even my wife before I came back.

“So, it is a kind of thing that makes me sad a lot. Iyiola Omisore is very innocent of the killing,’’ he said.

Oyediran said, “The investigation carried out by the Nigerian Police and all other security agencies exonerated Omisore and all others arrested along with him.

“He was taken to court and was discharged and acquitted, and cannot be re-arrested unless there is a new clue.”However, Prof. Fatai Olasupo, in a keynote address, urged opposition in the legislative arm to be more active.

“They must be active and ensure that there is transparency in governance. With what we have witnessed, governance at the state level needs to be upgraded,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

NAN reports that Ige, the then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, was murdered in his Bodija, Ibadan home at about 9.00 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2001.

Chief Bola Ige also a national leader of the AD  was  serving as a minister under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) -controlled Federal Government.

The incident happened shortly after Ige arrived Ibadan from Lagos at about 8.30 p.m.‎

In July, President Muhammad Buhari directed the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to reopen investigation into the unresolved murder of the former Minister.

At the event, the political associates, friends and families of Olagbaju eulogised him for “fighting for the oppressed”.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

Armed robbery suspect who killed police officer begs govt to have mercy on him

Armed robbery suspect who killed police officer begs govt to have mercy on him

Tinubu enlists Dangote, Elumelu, Rabiu, others in Economic Coordination Council

Tinubu enlists Dangote, Elumelu, Rabiu, others in Economic Coordination Council

Sanwo-Olu doesn't want you to blame govt for current hardship in the country

Sanwo-Olu doesn't want you to blame govt for current hardship in the country

Okuama: Slain officers left behind 3 pregnant widows, 21 orphans – Lagbaja

Okuama: Slain officers left behind 3 pregnant widows, 21 orphans – Lagbaja

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT