The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, has been ordered to arrest and prosecute former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Secretary for the state, Temitope Aluko, over an alleged perjury.
His arrested was this Wednesday, ordered by a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti,
Aluko had on national television alleged among other things that former President Goodluck Jonathan authorised the release of $37million and soldiers to . Ayodele Fayose, to assist him in rigging the June 21 2014 governorship election in the state, which ouster both the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the then governor, Kayode Fayemi.
The order by the Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye, followed a Motion Ex-parte number MAD/10cm/2016, brought by the Ekiti State Government against Aluko, and the State Commissioner of Police, pursuant to Section 117 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16, law of Ekiti State 2012, Section 79 of the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2014, and Section 23 (D) of the Magistrates’ Courts Law 2014.
The motion, which was filed, and moved by the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Gbemiga Adaramola, specifically sough an order of the court to issue warrant of arrest against Aluko, and to be executed by the Commissioner of Police in the state, with the sole aim of committing him (Aluko) for trial for the offence of perjury.
In granting the order, Chief Magistrate Adegboye, said it was granted so that (Aluko) who is the first defendant can have the opportunity of attend the court defending himself from the allegation.
According to reports, a lawyer in the state, Sunday Olowolafe, made an application to the State Attorney-General, seeking the prosecution of the first defendant for allegedly committing perjury.
Olowolafe, had accused Aluko of recanting an earlier evidence he gave the hearing of Ekiti State Governorship Election Tribunal as a star witness, a position he said Aluko maintained up to the Supreme Court.
In an affidavit filed in support of the motion ex-parte by Special Assistant to the State Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said Aluko, who was a witness before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sworn to a Statement on Oath on August 4, 2014, wherein he stated that the Election was not only free and fair, but devoid of violence, thuggery, hooliganism, snatching of ballot boxes, and related forms of electoral disorderliness.
Olayinka further averred that Aluko tendered and adopted his Statement on Oath on November 12, 2014, and further gave evidence under cross examination.
He stated that all what Aluko said on Channels Television on Sunday, January 31, 2016, were contrary to and opposite in direction to his evidence before the election Tribunal..
Issuing the warrant of arrest against Mr Aluko, Chief Magistrate Adegboye said since the court had the power to grant the order, and it will serve the interest of justice, the State Commissioner of Police should arrest Aluko for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting him.
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