The Osun State Government has approached the State High Court, seeking a writ of mandamus to force an official investigation into Senator Francis Fadahunsi. The request stems from allegations that the lawmaker threatened supporters of the Accord Party prior to the upcoming governorship election. The filing, identified as HOS/M.157/26, names both the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police as respondents.
Authorities point to a video circulating online that allegedly shows Senator Fadahunsi addressing a crowd near the Owa Obokun’s Palace in Ilesha on August 11. The government contends that the footage features the Senator instructing his followers to physically target Accord Party members and the supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke. Allegations include directives to remove Accord members from hotels and threats directed at their families.
The Attorney-General is requesting that the court order the police to conduct a forensic analysis of the recording to confirm its authenticity. Furthermore, the state is pushing for an immediate mandate for law enforcement to protect Accord candidates and voters from intimidation. Nurudeen Kareem, Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters, stated that the move is essential to maintain public peace and uphold the duty of police to prevent crime before violence breaks out.
The government emphasized that this legal action does not seek to establish criminal guilt, which would require a full trial. Instead, it aims to compel police to execute their statutory duties. Separate criminal complaints regarding seditious speech have also been submitted against Senator Fadahunsi and APC candidate Damilare Eniade.
