Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has named 12 individuals, including Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the state Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, and other government and political figures, whom he wants investigated over the alleged attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti.
Sowore made the allegations in a statement published on Friday, November 13, exactly 14 days after the October 30 incident at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of Ado-Ekiti, where he and members of his team were reportedly assaulted by armed men.
He accused the Ekiti State Police Command of failing to arrest the individuals he identified as the principal suspects, despite providing the police with what he described as leads concerning those allegedly involved in planning, coordinating, financing and executing the attack.
According to Sowore, the police have yet to apprehend the principal suspects he identified, while operatives allegedly arrested other individuals whom he believes were not responsible for the attack.
He also criticised the police for arraigning 11 people before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti, where they were granted bail on the same day.
The 11 defendants were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad on October 30, according to the police, who announced the arrests the following day. The command said the suspects were apprehended at their hideouts in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti following a tip-off.
They were subsequently arraigned on allegations including conspiracy, assault occasioning harm and malicious damage to property. Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun granted each defendant bail of ₦100,000, with one surety in like sum, and adjourned the case to December 4, 2026, for hearing.
However, Sowore insists that the arrest and arraignment of the 11 defendants have not addressed the involvement of those he considers the principal actors behind the incident.
In his latest statement, he identified 12 individuals and officials whose alleged roles he wants thoroughly investigated.
Those named include:
- Governor Biodun Oyebanji: Sowore called for an investigation into the governor’s alleged use of state security structures and Government House connections in relation to the incident. He also alleged that phones and other devices stolen from victims during the attack were found at the Governor’s Lodge.
- CSP Ayodele Akinlua: The governor’s Chief Security Officer was accused of making a telephone call to Moyinoluwa Olowoyo, popularly known as Gigabytes Nation, at about 7:30 a.m. on the day of the incident, warning that Sowore’s safety could not be guaranteed if he proceeded with his engagements in Ado-Ekiti.
- CP Falade Adegoroye Michael: The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police was accused of mishandling the investigation and initially describing the incident as an altercation rather than pursuing what Sowore described as a coordinated attack.
- The Ekiti State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS): Sowore alleged that DSS personnel monitored his movements, intimidated individuals hosting his political meetings and helped track his location before the incident.
- Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo: The Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority and son-in-law of President Bola Tinubu was accused of having links to the alleged mobilisation of individuals involved in the attack, including a suspect identified as Sola Adenijo, popularly known as Solar.
- Makinde Araoye: The Ekiti-based proprietor of the Ikogosi Marathon was named by Sowore as someone whose alleged knowledge of and connections to events preceding the attack should be investigated. Sowore also alleged that Araoye issued a statement banning him from participating in the marathon after learning that the attack had failed.
- Asefon Sunday Dayo: The Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Student Engagement and former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) was accused of coordinating and financing individuals allegedly involved in the incident from the Odo-Ado area of Ado-Ekiti.
- Sola Adenijo, popularly known as Solar: He was identified by Sowore as one of the alleged principal attackers who directly participated in the violence at Tawakalitu Restaurant. Sowore also claimed that he is listed as treasurer of the Ekiti State chapter of the City Boy Movement.
- Ijarotimi Ayodeji Akintade Ifeoluwa, popularly known as AK: Sowore identified him as the individual allegedly captured in a video wielding a machete during the attack. He further claimed that the man is listed as Chief Security Officer of the Ekiti State chapter of the City Boy Movement.
- Asiwaju Kasali Oluwafemi, popularly known as Kasali: The political figure was accused of having connections to the incident. Sowore also referred to alleged threats made against his participation in the Ikogosi Marathon in 2025, calling for Kasali’s role to be investigated.
- CSP (Dr.) Marcus Olaosebikan Ogundola (rtd.): The former Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Ekiti State was accused of leading police personnel allegedly present during the attack, recording the incident and participating in the subsequent handling of CCTV evidence.
- Lere Olayinka Aresa: The Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was also named by Sowore as an alleged organiser and enabler of the attack.
Sowore maintained that the individuals named in his statement should be investigated to establish whether they had any involvement in the planning, execution or subsequent handling of the incident.
He also questioned the handling of electronic evidence, alleging that the police had failed to properly investigate the recovery of stolen devices and preserve relevant communication records and CCTV footage.
The activist has previously called on the Inspector-General of Police to establish an independent investigative team, secure and analyse available CCTV recordings, recover stolen property and examine communication records that could help identify those responsible.
The October 30 incident generated controversy after Sowore and the police offered conflicting accounts of what happened at Tawakalitu Restaurant.
While Sowore described the incident as an attack by armed men, the Ekiti State Police Command initially characterised it as an altercation involving different groups. The disagreement intensified after the activist accused the police of failing to pursue the people he believed were behind the violence.
The Ekiti State Government, through the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, had earlier denied any involvement in the incident, describing allegations linking the government to the attack as unfounded.
The government said it had no connection with the incident and called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation, identify those responsible and ensure they were brought to justice.
The police, on their part, announced that investigations were ongoing to establish the individual roles of the 11 arrested defendants, determine their possible connections to the attack and identify other persons who might have been involved.
As of Friday, November 13, the latest statement from Sowore indicated that he remained dissatisfied with the progress of the investigation and wanted the authorities to extend their inquiries to the 12 individuals he named.
It is important to note that the allegations against Governor Oyebanji, the police commissioner, the DSS director and the other individuals named by Sowore have not been established by a court or independently verified. Being named in the statement does not establish criminal responsibility.
IBN News has not independently established the claims concerning the alleged recovery of stolen devices at the Governor’s Lodge, the alleged telephone warning, the identities of the attackers or the alleged involvement of the named officials and political figures.
The individuals named have the right to respond to the allegations, while the police are expected to provide further clarification on the investigation and whether additional suspects are being pursued.
The case remains a significant test of the authorities’ ability to investigate allegations of political violence impartially, establish individual responsibility and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought before the law.
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