By Mercy Aikoye
Hon. Bamidele Salam, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, and Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State, has strongly condemned the harassment and unlawful detention of a local government worker in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State.
The lawmaker described the role of the Nigeria Police Force in the incident as shameful and unconstitutional. A viral video and photographs circulating on social media showed the worker being humiliated by politicians in the presence of police officers.
Hon. Salam said he has made findings on the facts of the matter and confirmed that the worker, Mr. Taiwo Adebayo, was on lawful duty. Adebayo was in possession of files relating to the retirement process of some local government staff and was acting on the instructions of his superior.
The lawmaker described the conduct of the politician and police officers as despicable, condemnable, and outrightly unconstitutional. “The dehumanizing treatment of citizen Adebayo by the politician in the presence of law enforcement agents supervised by the Divisional Police officer in Egbedore Local Government of Osun State is despicable, condemnable and outrightly unconstitutional,” Hon. Salam said.
Hon. Salam called for the immediate release of the staff and the offering of due apologies to him by the Nigeria Police Force. The lawmaker also called for an immediate cessation of the ongoing illegal capture of local government administration in Osun State by politicians from the All Progressives Congress (APC) who are being backed by the police.
Hon. Salam accused the police of complicity in the usurpation of power and contempt of court. He called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to uphold the rule of law by withdrawing his men from their current illegal duties in the local government secretariats of Osun State.
The lawmaker’s statement highlights the need for police reform and the importance of upholding the rule of law in Nigeria. The incident is a stark reminder of the challenges facing local government administration in the country and the need for urgent action to protect citizens’ rights and promote good governance.
