Osun Govt Raises Alarm Over Alleged Move to Free Banditry Suspect

The Osun State Government has cautioned the state Police Command against yielding to alleged political pressure aimed at securing the release of a suspect linked to the Lameco banditry case, warning against what it described as attempts to exploit psychiatric claims to undermine the course of justice.

Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, who stated this in a statement on Monday, said the government would not support any effort to manipulate law enforcement processes for partisan interests. He urged the police to remain professional and transparent in handling the matter.

The government’s reaction followed allegations by a civil society organisation, Public Safety Accountability Group, which accused some high-profile members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State of mounting pressure on the police to release the suspect on medical grounds.

The group reportedly questioned the reasons behind visits by certain APC chieftains to police facilities in connection with the suspect, describing the move as an attempt to frustrate efforts aimed at dismantling a criminal network.

In response, the police confirmed that the suspect was undergoing psychiatric evaluation and disclosed that an herbalist had claimed to have treated him for mental illness over the past 10 years. However, the police statement did not address allegations that political figures were seeking the suspect’s release.

Reacting to the development, the state government called on the police to clarify issues surrounding the case and answer critical questions regarding the suspect’s alleged psychiatric condition.

The government specifically demanded to know the whereabouts of the medical report confirming the suspect’s mental state, the identity of the herbalist said to have treated him, and whether APC chieftains had indeed visited or sent emissaries to the police on the suspect’s behalf.

It also questioned why the police had remained silent on the matter until concerns were raised by the civil society organisation.

The government further called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to monitor developments surrounding the case and urged the Osun State Commissioner of Police to prevent the politicisation of what it described as a sensitive security issue.