Renowned lawyer and human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has called upon the Department of State Services (DSS) to promptly release Wale Adedayo, the suspended chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area in Ogun State.

Adedayo had levied allegations against Governor Dapo Abiodun, accusing him of misappropriating local government funds. This call for Adedayo’s release comes in the wake of his detention by the DSS on a Friday, following his response to an invitation from the security agency.

In a concerning development, Adedayo has remained incommunicado while in DSS custody, with no official statement offered to clarify the reasons behind his detention, which has exceeded 48 hours.

In response to this situation, Falana highlighted that Adedayo had been summoned by the Ogun State Command of the DSS to address allegations arising from a petition filed by the Ogun State Government. The urgency of his release is underscored by the need for due process and transparency in such cases.

“In the said petition, it was alleged that Mr Adedayo had instigated widespread acts of public disturbance and chaos in Ijebu East Local Government,” Falana stated. 

He said that despite the fact that Adedayo denied the allegation, DSS “has decided to detain him due to his refusal to withdraw the allegation levelled against Governor Abiodun.” 

Expanding on his remarks, Falana recommended that the governor consider pursuing a libel lawsuit against Adedayo.

He went down memory lane when he said the late Gov Olabisi Onabanjo had in 1981 sued the National Concord newspaper for libel, while former Gov Segun Osoba also sued the Punch Newspaper for defamation of character in 2001, saying “both governors won the libel suits.” 

Falan said: “Having regard to the facts and circumstances of this particular case, I am compelled to request the Ogun State Command of the SSS to release Mr. Adedayo from custody forthwith.”