Osun Guber: Adeleke inaugurates panels to probe violence allegations

The Osun State Government has inaugurated two investigative bodies to examine alleged violence and unlawful activities reported before and after the August 15, 2026 governorship election in the state.

The panels were inaugurated on Wednesday at the Ministry of Justice Conference Hall, Abere, by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, on behalf of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The Commission of Inquiry will investigate alleged incidents of violence, intimidation, assault, destruction of property, unlawful possession or use of weapons, breach of public peace and other unlawful activities reported across Osun.

Speaking at the inauguration, Jimi-Bada said the government constituted the commission in response to reports, petitions and concerns raised by members of the public regarding the incidents.

“Elections are the foundation of democracy. Citizens must be able to participate freely and peacefully in the democratic process without fear, intimidation or violence,” he said.

The Attorney-General said the government had a responsibility to investigate allegations of unlawful conduct and ensure that facts were established in accordance with the law.

He described the establishment of the commission as a clear demonstration of this administration’s commitment to justice, accountability, public order, peace and the rule of law.

He stressed that the exercise was not designed to persecute any individual, political party, candidate, group, public officer or security agency.

“It is a lawful fact-finding body established to ascertain the truth, identify persons who may have been affected, determine responsibility where supported by credible evidence, and recommend measures to strengthen public peace,” he said.

He added that the commission was not intended to shield anyone from accountability, saying credible evidence of wrongdoing should result in firm, fair and lawful recommendations.

The Attorney-General charged the panel to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the alleged incidents, identify persons or groups involved where evidence permits, ascertain those affected and examine damage to property.

The commission is also expected to receive memoranda, petitions, oral and written evidence, documents, photographs, videos and other relevant materials from witnesses, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, journalists, traditional institutions and members of the public.

Jimi-Bada urged members of the commission to conduct their proceedings with fairness, independence and transparency, while respecting the principles of natural justice.

He called on political parties, candidates, security agencies, public institutions, community leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, journalists and members of the public to cooperate with the commission.

The Attorney-General warned against intimidation of witnesses, suppression of evidence, harassment of petitioners or interference with the commission’s proceedings, while urging the political class to avoid conduct capable of undermining peace.

The Commission of Inquiry into incidents of violence and unlawful activities has Justice Abdurazaq Abdulkareem as Chairman and Barrister Biodun Badiora as Secretary. Other members are R. Faremi, Maruff Adediran, Comrade Waheed Lawal, AIG Aderanti Kayode (rtd), Dr Adeyemi Aboderin, Dr Azeez Morufu Olakunle and Abodunrin Matthew Adeyinka.

The separate Coroner’s Inquest into the Ikire killings is chaired by Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola, with Barrister Biodun Badiora as Secretary, while AIG Aderanti Kayode and Dele Akintayo are members, alongside Comrade Wale Balogun, Alhaji Akinkunmi Taliat Lanrewaju and Dr Babatunde Afolabi, CMD of UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital.