Court remands 11 over alleged plot to disrupt primaries

By Idowu Adebomi

A Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti has ordered the remand of 11 men allegedly involved in a plot to disrupt the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026.

In a related development, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has suspended one of the suspects, who serves as a government appointee.

Chief Magistrate Adeosun of Court 1, Ado Ekiti Magisterial District, granted the remand order following an ex-parte application filed by the Ekiti State Police Command.

The application was filed pursuant to Sections 264 (1) and (2) of the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law and Order 6, Rule 4 of the ACJL Rules 2020.

The application, moved by ASP Oriyomi alongside the Police Legal Officer, S.O. Osobu Esq., sought an order to remand the suspects at the Ado Ekiti Correctional Centre pending the conclusion of a police investigation into allegations of conspiracy, political violence, and attempts to destabilize the APC primary election process.

According to court documents, the suspects were arrested and later paraded at the Ekiti State Police Headquarters on Friday.

Police authorities alleged that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to being sponsored by a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akinlayo Davidson Kolawole, to cause disruptions during the primary.

The police noted, however, that the investigation into these allegations is ongoing.

After reviewing the police application, including Form K and supporting affidavits, the court approved a 30-day remand order to enable investigators to complete their probe.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until June 16, 2026, for further mention.

The defendants listed in the court documents are Adekunle Stephen, Adepoju Adebayo, Boluwaji Ishola, Oluwatobi Adeoluwa, Akintunde Emmanuel, Adewale Makanjuola, Ibitola Babatope, Abanikanda Sikiru, Dayo Ibijowo, Ajayi Dele, and Adegbite Damola.

Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has announced the immediate suspension of one of the suspects, Mr. Dayo Ibijowo, popularly known as “Ijaya” from his government position following his arrest by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) for alleged armed thuggery.

Ibijowo was among the 11 suspects arrested in Ikun-Ekiti and paraded by the police in connection with the alleged plot.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, the Governor clarified that Ibijowo would remain suspended pending the outcome of the police investigation and subsequent prosecution.

The statement emphasized that the suspension reflects the Oyebanji administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward criminality, violence, and acts capable of threatening public peace.

Governor Oyebanji, who recently concluded a statewide campaign tour across the 16 local government areas of the state, had repeatedly called on politicians, party supporters, and residents to maintain peace before, during, and after the electioneering process.

Reiterating his appeal for peaceful conduct, the Governor stressed that his administration will not tolerate any form of violence or criminal activity capable of undermining the state’s security or democratic process.