Femi Awogboro, media aide to former Minister of Power and 2027 All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, has warned those linking Adelabu’s personal assistant, Ajiboye Sangogade, to the kidnapping of the ex-minister’s younger sister and twin sons, to stop spreading the “fabricated narrative” or face legal action.
In a statement made on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital, Awogboro stated that Sangogade had no participation in the kidnapping of Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, Adelabu’s younger sister, and her twin kids, Peter and Paul, and warned that “those peddling the rumor 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 rumors 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 then asked people propagating the misinformation to explain out where the PPRO addressed Sangogade in his briefing, noting that the police spokesperson only named one Segun in connection with the case and never tied Sangogade to the incident in any manner.
He contended that people alleging Sangogade’s involvement were doing so to gain political points, stressing that not everything should be politicized.
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 rumors. So, we urge the public and party members not to fall for their tricks.”
He went on to describe Sangogade as a man of good reputation with an impeccable pedigree and antecedents.
The aide argued that Adelabu’s personal assistant could not and would not be involved in such behavior and 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.
Chronicle NG reported that John-Paul and her twin sons were abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, in Ibadan.
They were taken in Elewura-Challenge, Ibadan’s southwest local government area.
The abduction was carried out by armed attackers who were alleged to have followed the victims’ car from their home before flagging them down at the spot about 7:30 a.m.
As a result, on Sunday, June 7, the state Commissioner of Police, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, presented four individuals apprehended in connection with the abduction.
The CP paraded the suspects at the state police headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, and advised locals to be watchful and report any fleeing members of the kidnapping racket.
The suspects were found with three pump-action rifles, 14 live rounds, an unregistered ash-colored Toyota Corolla reportedly used during the kidnapping, criminal charms, a combat axe, a hammer, substances presumed to be hard narcotics, and two face masks.
The state administration razed the building early on Monday, June 8, and the land was revoked.
