Judiciary directs investigation into Fadahunsi's statement on fatal incident

A Magistrate's Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has instructed the police to launch an investigation into Senator Francis Fadahunsi over alleged comments that appear to advocate for the killing of Accord party members prior to the Osun State governorship election on Saturday.

n

The Presiding Magistrate II, Farida Ibrahim, has directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7, Abuja, to investigate the complaint and submit a report within a two-week timeframe, as outlined in a letter dated August 13, 2026.

n

This letter, signed by the Registrar of the Magistrate's Court, Abdulraham Yusuf, and titled "Direct Criminal Complaint Between Pelumi Olajengbesi and Senator Francis Fadahunsi," was issued in accordance with Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

n

The letter explicitly states that the police should investigate the case and report back within two weeks, attaching a copy of the criminal complaint and requesting "necessary action" to be taken.

n

The complaint was filed by Pelumi Olajengbesi, the campaign spokesman for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, following alleged comments made by Fadahunsi in a viral video that seemingly encouraged violence against Accord party members and supporters ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

n

Olajengbesi accused the senator of making statements that allegedly promoted violence against Accord party members and supporters, prompting the court to take action.

n

In a separate development, Olajengbesi threatened to file a N10bn defamation and injurious falsehood suit against Fadahunsi over allegations made during television interviews.

n

On August 12, 2026, Olajengbesi's lawyer, Hammed Lasisi, sent a letter demanding the immediate retraction of statements allegedly made by Fadahunsi during interviews on Viable TV on July 2 and Channels Television's Politics Today on August 11.

n

According to the lawyer, Fadahunsi had accused Olajengbesi of sponsoring thugs and members of the Eiye and Aye cult groups during these interviews.

n

Fadahunsi allegedly stated that Olajengbesi was "not even from the same Ijebu-Jesha" and was "from somewhere in Ogun State," and further accused him of "using thugs, Eiye and Aye."

n

During the August 11 interview on Politics Today, Fadahunsi allegedly said, "Rogba is an Eiye man sponsored by Barr. Olajengbesi terrorising the whole … my own territory up and down through all these Eiye and Aye."

n

Olajengbesi denied these allegations, describing them as false, defamatory, and injurious to his reputation, and demanded that Fadahunsi retract the alleged defamatory statements and publish an "unequivocal and unreserved public apology."

n

The Osun State Government has also taken action, dragging the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in the state to the High Court, seeking an order to investigate Fadahunsi over alleged inciting remarks ahead of the governorship election.

n

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Osun State, Oluwole Jimi-Bada (SAN), filed the suit marked HOS/M.157/26 at the High Court of Justice, Osogbo Judicial Division, on August 12, 2026, with Fadahunsi joined as a person affected/interested party.

n

The application followed the circulation of a video in which the senator was allegedly heard making comments about Accord Party members, including a call on members of the All Progressives Congress to "kill Accord Party members anywhere they see them."

n

The state alleged that Fadahunsi called for the killing of the wives and children of Accord members, and also described them as "not normal human beings" because of their yellow caps.

n

The government urged the court to compel the police to obtain, secure, preserve, and forensically examine the "complete and unedited version" of the video, and to investigate the circumstances surrounding its creation and circulation.

n

The state wants the police to take necessary preventive security measures to protect Accord Party members, supporters, candidates, agents, voters, and other residents who may be endangered by the alleged statements.

n

The application specifically asked the police to commence or recommend appropriate criminal proceedings against any person found culpable, "without regard to political status, public office, or political affiliation."

n

The senator had come under fire on Tuesday for issuing a threat against Accord members ahead of the governorship poll, and was invited, grilled, and released on the matter on Wednesday.