The Ekiti State Government on Thursday denied any involvement in the arrest of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mrs. Abimbola Olajumoke Olawumi, insisting it neither ordered nor had prior knowledge of any police action against her.
The government said allegations linking it to Olawumi’s arrest in Abuja were false and should be disregarded.
The denial followed controversy surrounding Olawumi’s arrest after she was reportedly taken away by armed men shortly after leaving the Court of Appeal in Abuja, where she had gone to obtain Certified True Copies (CTCs) of documents related to her legal challenge over the Ekiti APC governorship primary.
In a statement issued by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata (SAN), the state government distanced itself from the incident.
“The Ekiti State Government categorically denies any involvement in the alleged abduction, police arrest or detention of Mrs. Abimbola Olawumi,” the statement said.
“It did not order or know anything about police action regarding Mrs. Olawumi. The government under the current democratic dispensation obeys the rule of law and respects the personal liberty and freedom of all citizens.
“Law enforcement agencies carry out their duties independently without any control from the state government. We advise the public and the media to ignore false stories linking the government to the arrest.”
The disclaimer came after supporters of Olawumi accused the Ekiti State Government and the Chief Executive Officer of YSJ Limited, Mrs. Yemisi Joluwe, of orchestrating what they described as a “guerrilla-style abduction” to frustrate Olawumi’s appeal before the Supreme Court over the APC governorship primary.
They alleged that the operation could not have taken place without the backing of influential figures in the state government, while also claiming that a Senior Special Assistant in the government and a retired police officer participated in the operation.
The controversy, however, took another turn after Joluwe released a video admitting that she petitioned security agencies against Olawumi.
“I am the one that complained about Abimbola Jumoke Olawumi. She has been blackmailing me,” Joluwe said.
She accused Olawumi of cyber harassment, blackmail and publishing her personal telephone number online, alleging that the acts endangered her life and business.
Joluwe also linked Olawumi to the alleged kidnapping of two of her workers, claiming one of the victims was later killed.
“We have law in this country, and she can’t take the law into her hands. All I want is justice, and I’m going to stand on this until I get justice,” she said.
Despite admitting responsibility for filing the petition, Joluwe expressed disappointment with the Ekiti State Government, saying she expected greater support as an investor in the state.
“Honestly, I’m highly disappointed with the state government because I am an investor in this state, and I’m working for them. I expected them to stand up and support me,” she said.
Before Joluwe’s video surfaced, Olawumi’s whereabouts were unknown after sources alleged she was assaulted and forced into a black SUV by armed men shortly after leaving the Court of Appeal on Wednesday.
She had earlier appeared before the Supreme Court in her appeal challenging the APC governorship primary that produced Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the party’s candidate.
According to sources, the apex court granted her leave to appear in person and directed her to obtain Certified True Copies of relevant Court of Appeal documents before further proceedings.
Her supporters alleged that the timing of her arrest was intended to frustrate the legal process, a claim the Ekiti State Government has denied.
The dispute between Olawumi and Joluwe predates the latest controversy.
In February, Olawumi accused the YSJ Limited CEO of masterminding the arrest of six youths who protested over an empowerment programme after participants who allegedly paid N100,000 each in expectation of grants ranging from N1 million to N1.5 million reportedly received between N10,000 and N15,000.
Joluwe has denied the allegation and maintained that her petition against Olawumi was based on alleged blackmail, cyber harassment and actions she claimed threatened her life and business.
