The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ADELEKE

  • ‘Adeleke is candidate to beat’

    ‘Adeleke is candidate to beat’

    In this piece, Olumide Lawal highlights the factors that may swing the pendulum of victory towards the direction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the Osun West senatorial by-election.

    That late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke lived a beautiful life, full of robust achievements is not contestable. His life was a testimony of goodness and patriotic service to humanity. He left nobody in doubt, that he was one of the finest politicians ever produced from this part of the world. He came angelically and transisted gracefully and gloriously, resting peacefully in the bosom of Almighty Allah.

    Therefore, politics in Adeleke family is synonymous with selfless service to the people – particularly the down-trodden masses. It is therefore not applicable to the Adeleke family, has being erroneously canvassed in some quarters, that they are in politics to make wealth. This is blackmail that holds no water. The Adeleke family built its financial empire through the grace of God, spartan discipline, hard work and prudent management of resources. So many people have benefitted from the family large-heartedness, without any string attached to such favours.

    The esteemed Adeleke dynasty, has been championing the tenet of politics without bitterness and violence, since the hero of the family – Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke became the governor of Osun State in 1992 and laid a solid foundation for the state. What point therefore, are detractors of the family trying to establish, by making wild comments and unjust accusation, concerning the painful and sudden death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke on April 23, 2017. It is sad, that they are turning facts on its head as far as reference to the family’s stand on same is concerned.

    The family came up with a press conference addressed by Dr. Deji Adeleke where he called for absolute observance of peace and maintenance of law and order on the parts of the sympathizers. That went a long way to bring calmness on all sympathizers who were genuinely “crushed” by the sudden death of our beloved Senator Isiaka Adeleke. What else was expected of the family, who are still in deep grief to convince political traducers, that the family is a promoter of peace and concord.

    Otunba Ademola Adeleke efforts at contesting the vacant seat of Osun West Senatorial District, is every inch justifiable, as a law-abiding and eminently qualified citizen of Nigeria. It is more of a right for him, to signify interest, coming as it were from the esteemed Adeleke family, where late Senator Isiaka Adeleke hailed from. In other climes, it is a matter for the political party, which late Senator Isiaka Adeleke represented at the SENATE, to call on his family to nominate somebody to complete his remaining two years. All the same, the Adeleke political eminence in Osun State nay Nigeria, necessitates putting one of their own forward. Where is the fault of the Adeleke family in enjoying and exercising this priviledge, in a situation not badly tainted by politics of vandetta and acrimony, as witnessed in APC.

    In the United States of America, the BUSH family produced father and son as presidents of the country. Chuba Okadigbo died as a Senator and his wife succeeded him. The Adeleke family, ordinarily should have been offered the opportunity to bring one of their own on board by APC, the party Isiaka Adeleke represented before his death.

    It is a matter of conjecture for whomever, to think that Otunba Ademola Adeleke was not a member of APC before he left it. Otunba Ademola Adeleke registered at Sagba/Abogunde Ward in 2014 for APC alongside his late political mentor – Senator Isiaka Adeleke. He presented his membership card at the screening exercise and was cleared by the Committee. It could not have been possible for him to scale that hurdle, if he has no APC membership card. He duly paid for all relevant forms to qualify for screening. Why will some mischievous people stop at nothing to drag the good names of the Adeleke family in the mud, for cheap political gains and belly-aching. They have failed woefully in their nefarious activities.

    Otunba Ademola Adeleke was not a political coward, as some people would want the public to see him, all by pitching his tent with PDP. It is an unassailable fact, that he enjoys every right to identify with any political party, where he thinks his ambition could best be realized without partisanship or constraints in whatever forms. That is the beauty of democracy. It is practiced all over. And so far, his wide acceptance in the course of his campaign to different local government areas has shown, that he is the candidate to beat. The peasants have spoken. They have given their fullest support to Ademola Adeleke for July 8, election. God works, in a miraculous way, His wonders to perform. Ademola Adeleke candidature under PDP is manifestation of God’s support for Isiaka Adeleke and continuity of his laudable legacies.

    Let me state that, Senator Mudasir Hussein did not in 2015 conceded ticket to Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, has been falsely canvassed in some quarters. This is far from the truth. Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, through his well-grounded political structures, which he brought from PDP. In addition to other contributions of the Adeleke family, went a long way to ensure the victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, re-election in 2014. Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, together with Otunba Ademola Adeleke were involved in rigorous campaign outings throughout the length and breadth of Osun State with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in his second-term bid. But now to mischievous people, Otunba Ademola Adeleke was never an APC member. Glory be to God for paving the way for him to leave the party. Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke was eminently given the ticket based on his towering political image and invaluable contributions to the success of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the 2014 poll, in addition to the massive followership he brought from PDP on decampment.

    Ademola Adeleke opponents, should wait till July 8, 2017, when the voting public in Osun West Senatorial District, will unanimously cast their votes for him. There is no gain-saying the fact, that voters in Osun West District are ready to continue to give their unalloyed support to their beloved Senator Isiaka Adeleke, whose death they are yet to come to reality with. The thousands of voters in Osun West District are of the opinion, that the best they could do to immortalize the memory of Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke is to vote massively for Otunba Ademola Adeleke, who has over the years learnt the political rope from his late father of blessed memory – Senator Raji Ayoola Adeleke and his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke and mastered it well. He is best equipped and articulate to marshall THE CONTINUTY PROJECT in the senatorial race for Osun West District. It is God’s own project, which time has arrived to make life and living worth the while for the people of the district. Adeleke University continues to give hundreds of employment and scholarship opportunities to Osun citizens. The Ede City Hall completion is being undertaken by the Adeleke family.

    The people of Osun West District, have resolved to give massive support to the family as a pay-back time for the various philanthropic gestures, the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke extended to them over the years. The family is right now too busy putting smile on the faces of the people across the thirty Local Government Areas of Osun State and it is a continuous exercises without consideration  for political affliation, religion, creed or tribe. No malice, no bad blood towards anybody or group of people by Adeleke family. Surely, triumph of truth will manifest itself in favour of Ademola Adeleke come July 8, 2017.

    The Adeleke family and indeed the PDP in Osun West District, is appealing to all those, who will in one way or the other partake of the July 8, 2017 Osun West by-election in whatever form, to do so with the fear of God and absolute peace, orderliness and maintenance and observance of the tenets of their various professional callings. They should provide enabling level playing-ground for all candidates so as to write their names in hall of fame as the whole world is watching. The wish of the voters should be allowed to prevail without let or hindrance. The voice of the people, which is the voice of God will manifest in favour of Ademola Adeleke. They are very ready to vote and guard their votes jealously on July 8, 2017 as free citizens of Osun State.

    Otunba Ademola Adeleke is coming to the “battle” on July 8 like the biblical David, while his opponent “claims” to be the biblical Goliath. Just as God Almighty gave overwhelming victory to David over Goliath, so shall it be for Otunba Ademola Adeleke comes July 8. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

    July 8, 2017, it’s Ademola Adeleke versus Ademola Adeleke. End of discussion.

     

    • Olumide Lawal wrote from

    Ede, Osun State

  • ‘Adeleke is candidate to beat’

    ‘Adeleke is candidate to beat’

    In this piece, Olumide Lawal highlights the factors that may swing the pendulum of victory towards the direction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the Osun West senatorial by-election.

    What late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke lived a beautiful life, full of robust achievements is not contestable. His life was a testimony of goodness and patriotic service to humanity. He left nobody in doubt, that he was one of the finest politicians ever produced from this part of the world. He came angelically and transisted gracefully and gloriously, resting peacefully in the bosom of Almighty Allah.

    Therefore, politics in Adeleke family is synonymous with selfless service to the people – particularly the down-trodden masses. It is therefore not applicable to the Adeleke family, has being erroneously canvassed in some quarters, that they are in politics to make wealth. This is blackmail that holds no water. The Adeleke family built its financial empire through the grace of God, spartan discipline, hard work and prudent management of resources. So many people have benefitted from the family large-heartedness, without any string attached to such favours.

    The esteemed Adeleke dynasty, has been championing the tenet of politics without bitterness and violence, since the hero of the family – Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke became the governor of Osun State in 1992 and laid a solid foundation for the state. What point therefore, are detractors of the family trying to establish, by making wild comments and unjust accusation, concerning the painful and sudden death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke on April 23, 2017. It is sad, that they are turning facts on its head as far as reference to the family’s stand on same is concerned.

    The family came up with a press conference addressed by Dr. Deji Adeleke where he called for absolute observance of peace and maintenance of law and order on the parts of the sympathizers. That went a long way to bring calmness on all sympathizers who were genuinely “crushed” by the sudden death of our beloved Senator Isiaka Adeleke. What else was expected of the family, who are still in deep grief to convince political traducers, that the family is a promoter of peace and concord.

    Otunba Ademola Adeleke efforts at contesting the vacant seat of Osun West Senatorial District, is every inch justifiable, as a law-abiding and eminently qualified citizen of Nigeria. It is more of a right for him, to signify interest, coming as it were from the esteemed Adeleke family, where late Senator Isiaka Adeleke hailed from. In other climes, it is a matter for the political party, which late Senator Isiaka Adeleke represented at the SENATE, to call on his family to nominate somebody to complete his remaining two years. All the same, the Adeleke political eminence in Osun State nay Nigeria, necessitates putting one of their own forward. Where is the fault of the Adeleke family in enjoying and exercising this priviledge, in a situation not badly tainted by politics of vandetta and acrimony, as witnessed in APC.

    In the United States of America, the BUSH family produced father and son as presidents of the country. Chuba Okadigbo died as a Senator and his wife succeeded him. The Adeleke family, ordinarily should have been offered the opportunity to bring one of their own on board by APC, the party Isiaka Adeleke represented before his death.

    It is a matter of conjecture for whomever, to think that Otunba Ademola Adeleke was not a member of APC before he left it. Otunba Ademola Adeleke registered at Sagba/Abogunde Ward in 2014 for APC alongside his late political mentor – Senator Isiaka Adeleke. He presented his membership card at the screening exercise and was cleared by the Committee. It could not have been possible for him to scale that hurdle, if he has no APC membership card. He duly paid for all relevant forms to qualify for screening. Why will some mischievous people stop at nothing to drag the good names of the Adeleke family in the mud, for cheap political gains and belly-aching. They have failed woefully in their nefarious activities.

    Otunba Ademola Adeleke was not a political coward, as some people would want the public to see him, all by pitching his tent with PDP. It is an unassailable fact, that he enjoys every right to identify with any political party, where he thinks his ambition could best be realized without partisanship or constraints in whatever forms. That is the beauty of democracy. It is practiced all over. And so far, his wide acceptance in the course of his campaign to different local government areas has shown, that he is the candidate to beat. The peasants have spoken. They have given their fullest support to Ademola Adeleke for July 8, election. God works, in a miraculous way, His wonders to perform. Ademola Adeleke candidature under PDP is manifestation of God’s support for Isiaka Adeleke and continuity of his laudable legacies.

    Let me state that, Senator Mudasir Hussein did not in 2015 conceded ticket to Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, has been falsely canvassed in some quarters. This is far from the truth. Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, through his well-grounded political structures, which he brought from PDP. In addition to other contributions of the Adeleke family, went a long way to ensure the victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, re-election in 2014. Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, together with Otunba Ademola Adeleke were involved in rigorous campaign outings throughout the length and breadth of Osun State with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in his second-term bid. But now to mischievous people, Otunba Ademola Adeleke was never an APC member. Glory be to God for paving the way for him to leave the party. Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke was eminently given the ticket based on his towering political image and invaluable contributions to the success of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the 2014 poll, in addition to the massive followership he brought from PDP on decampment.

    Ademola Adeleke opponents, should wait till July 8, 2017, when the voting public in Osun West Senatorial District, will unanimously cast their votes for him. There is no gain-saying the fact, that voters in Osun West District are ready to continue to give their unalloyed support to their beloved Senator Isiaka Adeleke, whose death they are yet to come to reality with. The thousands of voters in Osun West District are of the opinion, that the best they could do to immortalize the memory of Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke is to vote massively for Otunba Ademola Adeleke, who has over the years learnt the political rope from his late father of blessed memory – Senator Raji Ayoola Adeleke and his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke and mastered it well. He is best equipped and articulate to marshall THE CONTINUTY PROJECT in the senatorial race for Osun West District. It is God’s own project, which time has arrived to make life and living worth the while for the people of the district. Adeleke University continues to give hundreds of employment and scholarship opportunities to Osun citizens. The Ede City Hall completion is being undertaken by the Adeleke family.

    The people of Osun West District, have resolved to give massive support to the family as a pay-back time for the various philanthropic gestures, the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke extended to them over the years. The family is right now too busy putting smile on the faces of the people across the thirty Local Government Areas of Osun State and it is a continuous exercises without consideration  for political affliation, religion, creed or tribe. No malice, no bad blood towards anybody or group of people by Adeleke family. Surely, triumph of truth will manifest itself in favour of Ademola Adeleke come July 8, 2017.

    The Adeleke family and indeed the PDP in Osun West District, is appealing to all those, who will in one way or the other partake of the July 8, 2017 Osun West by-election in whatever form, to do so with the fear of God and absolute peace, orderliness and maintenance and observance of the tenets of their various professional callings. They should provide enabling level playing-ground for all candidates so as to write their names in hall of fame as the whole world is watching. The wish of the voters should be allowed to prevail without let or hindrance. The voice of the people, which is the voice of God will manifest in favour of Ademola Adeleke. They are very ready to vote and guard their votes jealously on July 8, 2017 as free citizens of Osun State.

    Otunba Ademola Adeleke is coming to the “battle” on July 8 like the biblical David, while his opponent “claims” to be the biblical Goliath. Just as God Almighty gave overwhelming victory to David over Goliath, so shall it be for Otunba Ademola Adeleke comes July 8. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

    July 8, 2017, it’s Ademola Adeleke versus Ademola Adeleke. End of discussion.

     

    • Olumide Lawal wrote from

    Ede, Osun State

  • ‘PDP candidate doesn’t know how Adeleke was rescued in 2014′

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the July 8 Osun West senatorial by-election, Senator Mudashir Hussain, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Ademola Adeleke, is not competent to speak on the negotiations that rescued his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, in 2014.

    In a statement by his media aide, Kamil Opeyemi, the APC chiftain berated Adeleke for claiming on a live radio programme in Osogbo, the state capital, that his late brother did not benefit from his obedience to the party to step down for him.

    He said: “For Senator Adeleke’s brother, Ademola, to come out and claim that he did not step down for his late brother is a clear indication that he is totally ignorant of the issues that led to his brother’s coming to the APC from the PDP, where he and his loyalists had been disgraced.

    “Has he forgotten so soon how a serving Minister of Police Affairs at the time, who was a loyalist of Otunba Iyiola Omisore, threatened to beat him to coma but for what he knew was Adeleke’s poor health then?

    “If he is so sure that their family’s so-called empowerment of Ede people or Osun West people was so strong enough to win him election, why not stay in the PDP and fight it out?

    “The results of previous elections in our zone are there for all to see. I defeated his late brother before. In 2015, I was asked by the party to relinquish the ticket to enable him return to the Senate. As a loyal party man, I carry that responsibility to help my party in whatever it would take for it to win positions to better the lots of our people. I could not have done otherwise.”

    Hussein added: “Why is he announcing a N250 million scholarship scheme for Osun West students now? Why not before? If he had so much money and was ready to help, why at the point of using his brother’s shadow to deceive the people?

    “We have said and we mean it: humiliating defeat awaits Adeleke on July 8. Adeleke accused some people that they are Lagos-based! How else does a candidate prove to be shallow? Assuming we are Lagos-based, where is he based? He is based in America. What knowledge of the Osun West does he possess to know what really their needs are?”

    According to him, Ademola’s claim on the radio programme showed his strategy of deceit to participate in the election.

     

  • I’ll win Osun West by-election, says Adeleke

    I’ll win Osun West by-election, says Adeleke

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Osun West Senatorial District, Ademola Adeleke, has said he will win the by-election on July 8.

    Adeleke spoke yesterday in Abuja when the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, presented him with PDP’s flag at the party’s national secretariat.

    Adeleke is vying for the vacant seat his brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, occupied until his death on April 24.

    Describing his chances as very bright, Adeleke said he was not a political neophyte.

    The politician said he cut his political teeth under the tutelage of his late brother.

    According to him, the death of his older brother will be a deciding factor in the election while his PDP candidature has elicited fear in the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Adeleke, who defected from the APC to the PDP during the selection, said he had returned to his political base.

    He said: “I believe victory is ours. We are winning. Nobody can stop us in Osun State. After the July 8 election, we will surely come back to this PDP national secretariat to celebrate our victory.

    “The APC is not a steadfast party. They lie too much. I am not new in Osun politics. I have worked closely with my late brother, who was the grand master of Osun politics. The death of Senator Adeleke will surely play a great part in the election and ensure my victory.”

  • Senate seat: Hussain, Adeleke are APC, PDP candidates

    Senate seat: Hussain, Adeleke are APC, PDP candidates

    A former commissioner in Osun State, Mudashiru Hussein, was elected yesterday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Osun West Senatorial District’s July 8 by-election.

    He polled 2,412 of the 2,413 votes cast in the party’s primary held at the De Distinguished Event Centre on the outskirts of Osogbo in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State.

    Zamfara State House of Assembly Speaker Sanusi Rikiji, who chaired the Screening Committee for the by-election, declared Hussein winner of the election.

    Rikiji said 2,560 delegates participated in the poll.

    Hussein survived disqualification twice from APC’s Screening Committee and the Appeal, following the intervention of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), which cleared him to participate in the primary.

    He became the party’s sole aspirant when Ademola Adeleke, his co-contestant and younger brother to the former occupant of the seat, the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Adeleke also won yesterday’s primary of the PDP held at its Iwo Township Stadium.

    He got 343 votes.

    Husain expressed his commitment to the welfare of the people of Osun West Senatorial District, the advancement of democracy and good governance in the country.

    In his acceptance speech, the APC candidate described his victory as significant for the party, residents of Osun West Senatorial District and those of other parts of Osun State.

    He noted that the party’s primary was a testament to the life-changing developments in APC-led administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State.

    Hussain called for a minute silence in honour of the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke.

    He expressed appreciation to APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigiwe-Oyegun, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as well as leaders and members of the party throughout the country for their support.

    Osun State APC said Ademola Adeleke, who defected to the PDP, was never its member.

    In a statement by its spokesperson Kunle Oyatomi, the party said: “We received a letter conveying the decision of Otunba Ademola Adeleke to withdraw from the primaries being conducted today (yesterday) in which he is slated to contest as a candidate for the position of senator for Osun West Senatorial District on the platform of APC…”

    Ademola Adeleke, the younger brother to the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, was elected yesterday as the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the July 8 by-election for Osun West Senatorial District.

    Adeleke, who defected to the PDP from APC on Tuesday night, got 343 votes through an affirmation at the party’s primary conducted by the Chief Pegba Otemolu-led National Committee of PDP’s national secretariat in Abuja.

    Two other contestants for the seat on the platform of the PDP – former Minister of the Youth Development, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, and a retired Colonel of the Army, Olayiwola Falabi – earlier cleared for the primary on Tuesday night, stepped down for Adeleke after he showed intention to dump the APC.

    Until Monday, Adeleke was the sole aspirant of the APC.

    But Mudashiru Hussain, who had been disqualified by the party’s Screening Committee, appealed the verdict and was cleared by the National Working Committee (NWC).

    It was gathered that Adeleke wrote a letter to the APC to withdraw from the race on its platform.

    That left Hussain as the party’s sole aspirant in today’s primary holding at Egbedore Local Government Area, on the outskirts of Osogbo, the state capital.

    After the primary, Ademola Adeleke assured his supporters that the PDP would win the July 8 by-election.

    He said: “We shall coast home to victory by the grace of God. Nothing can stop us. We are winning this election.”

    Also addressing reporters, Osun PDP Chairman Soji Adagunodo said the primary was transparent.

    He said: “You can see that we are open and transparent in our primary election. With the consensus candidate, we are going to win July 8 by-election. We would have a landslide victory.

    “Ademola Adeleke was our member before he joined the APC. Now, he has come back. What happened today is a sign of good things to come in 2018 when we will win the 2018 governorship election.”

  • APC panel clears Adeleke’s brother for Senate

    APC panel clears Adeleke’s brother for Senate

    A five-man panel constituted by the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to screen aspirants for a vacant Osun West Senatorial District has disqualified Senator Mudashiru Hussein from participating in party’s primaries.

    The by-election into the vacant seat, following the death of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke on April 23, is scheduled to hold on July 8.

    The chairman of the panel, Sanusi Rikiji, who is also Speaker of Zamfara State House of Assembly, said Hussein was disqualified because he failed to tender his registration letter as a serving commissioner within 30 days before the expression of his interest to contest for the senatorial seat.

    But younger brother to the late Osun senator, Ademola, who is the second aspirant for the vacant seat, was given a clean bill to run for the party’s primary today.

    The panel’s Secretary-General is Charles Airhiavbere.

    In a letter to Osun State Chairman of the party, Prince Gboyega Famoodun, as well as two aspirants – Hussaine and Adeleke – Rikiji and Airhiavbere said Hussein was disqualified for allegedly breaching the Electoral Act.

    Hussein was reportedly advised to approach the three-man appeal panel set up to handle complaints from the screening.

    The panel said the two candidates – Hussein and Adeleke – were screened and given the outcome of the screening according to the party’s guidelines.

    The panel also said the primary to pick the party candidate for the July 8 Osun West senatorial by-election will hold today at 8 am.

    The panel urged the aspirants to ensure that their supporters behave well during the primary.

    It reminded that aspirants with complaints should not hesitate to approach an appeal committee.

    But Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice Dr Ajibola Basiru said the panel did not set a rule of engagement for its operation before the screening.

    Hussein said he had formerly resigned his position and tendered his resignation letter to the governor on June 6.

    According to him, he will contest the primary today.

  • Adeleke died of drug overdose, says coroner

    Adeleke died of drug overdose, says coroner

    The coroner appointed by the Osun State government to investigate the cause of the death of Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, on Monday said his death was caused by drug overdose.

    The coroner, Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara, giving verdict in Osogbo, said the evidence before him in no way pointed to poisoning as the cause of death of the late senator, as alleged in some quarters.

    “I have critically gone through the evidence before me. From the totality of evidence, the possibility of poisoning of the deceased is not sustainable.

    “I have not been able to trace any link to poisoning by anybody. The autopsy report and the toxicologist’s report are specific to say there was no trace of poison or heavy metal in the blood of the deceased.

    “Therefore, it is my opinion that he was not poisoned, I so hold.” he said

    Ayilara said the evidence of the pathologist, the toxicologist, police forensic expert and the chief medical director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, where the autopsy was carried out, “pointed scientifically to the fact that the death of the deceased was caused by aspiration of the gastric content, which blocked his airwaves as a result of high level of alcohol, sedative and analgesic, which caused the vital senses centre in the brain to shut down, resulting in death.”

    He said the nurse who treated the deceased before he died, Mr. Alfred Aderibigbe, tried to puncture the scientific evidence, claiming he did not give him overdose, but the evidence he gave in court and the police statement he gave were contradictory.

    “The deceased did not die of food poisoning, he had an administration of overdose of sedative and analgesic by an unqualified personnel, Alfred Aderibigbe, through intravenous means, which action was hastened by the presence of alcohol in the system.

    “The deceased patronised Aderibigbe for about 20 years and took treatment from him without doctor’s prescription. The high dose of sedative and analgesic with the mode of administration caused his death.”

    The coroner recommended that the qualification of Aderibigbe be investigated to be sure he was qualified as he claimed  and that the office of the Department of Public Prosecution should look into the case file of Aderibigbe, to determine the appropriate charges, if any, to be brought against him.

    “The public should be sensitised by the government on the need to patronise only qualified medical personnel in the treatment of ailments,” Ayilara said.

     

  • Police ordered autopsy on Adeleke – Pathologist

    Police ordered autopsy on Adeleke – Pathologist

    Dr. Taiwo Sholaja, the pathologist who carried out the autopsy on late Osun State governor, Isiaka Adeleke, on Friday said the postmortem examination he carried out on the deceased was authorised by the police coroner and not the family as being claimed in some quarters.

    Sholaja stated this while being led in testimony by the senior legal officer of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Mrs. Oyindamola Daramola, and Mr. Bashir Ajibola, a legal practitioner and observer at the coroner hearings.

    The pathologist said he received an order dated April 23 and signed by the Police Coroner, Ajiboye Dorcas Olubunmi, for postmortem to be carried out on the late senator.

    He said another form relating to the particulars of the deceased was also given to him by the Police Division, Dugbe, Osogbo, for him to provide the force with findings of his examination.

    He said at no point was he authorised by Adeleke’s family to carry out autopsy on the deceased.

    NAN

  • Adeleke wasn’t poisoned, says pathologist

    Adeleke wasn’t poisoned, says pathologist

    The pathologist, who conducted an autopsy on the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Dr. Olufemi Solaja, yesterday appeared at the coroner’s inquest set up by the Osun State government.

    Solaja, who carried out the examination at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, said there were no traces of poison or heavy metal in the deceased’s body.

    The pathologist said the late Adeleke was given an overdose of sedative and analgesic medicines.

    Solaja, a consultant anatomic pathologist at LAUTECH hospital, was led in evidence by Mrs. Oyindamola Daramola, a senior legal officer for the hospital.

    Solaja  said: “The police brought empty vials and ample of these drugs. Eventually, the deceased was taken to a private hospital where he was confirmed dead and from there he was brought to LAUTECH for autopsy.”

    He said histology of tissues from the body of the deceased was normal, except from the heart, which he explained showed hypertrophy, adding that the liver revealed alcoholic steato-hypatitis.

    Solaja went on: “Death in this case was due to aspiration of gastric content. Although the deceased had hypertensive heart disease, which could have caused sudden death, there was no evidence of such, either grossly or microscopically.

    “It is known that excessive alcoholic intake may depress the central nervous system with the blunting of the gas influx. This may also induce vomiting. The deceased was sedated and was given an overdose of analgesic. These drugs are known to cause central nervous system depression.

    “He apparently vomited and aspirated due to the sedation, so the aspiration of the gastric content blocked the airways, depriving the body of oxygen. This showed up in the body as stinge of colouration. This could cause vital seizure of the system.

    “The toxicology report also showed abnormally high levels of alcohol, sedative and analgesic in the blood of the deceased. There were no traces of poison, or heavy metals in the toxicology report. The police did the toxicology examination and the result was given to me on May 15.”

    The pathologist tendered a copy of the autopsy report and the court admitted it as exhibit EC3.

    He told the coroner that a copy of the toxicology report was not released to him after reading it.

    A health assistant, Mr. Alfred Aderibigbe, who allegedly treated the deceased when he complained of pains, testified before the coroner, but his evidence was not taken.

    His lawyer, Mr. Lekan Alabi, pleaded with the coroner to adjourn his evidence till tomorrow, saying he was served a summons on Tuesday.

    He said Aderibigbe was still suffering from psychological trauma following Adeleke’s death, therefore he was not prepared to give evidence.

    Alabi asked for an interpreter on the grounds that Aderibigbe would give evidence in Yoruba language.

    The coroner, Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara, adjourned till today to take Aderibigbe’s evidence.

    The family of the late Adeleke yesterday said it would consider legal options against the inquest.

    Addreasing a news conference at the deceased’s Ede country home, his younger brother, Deji, on behalf of the family, said: “We believe the outcome of the inquest was predetermined and designed to serve its interest.”

    He said the family had submitted to the sovereignty of the Almighty God, adding that it never intended to fight anyone.

    “We, however, call for an autopsy to know the cause of his death.”

  • Shittu: Adeleke’s family can only reject inquest on court order

    A legal expert, Mr Wahab Shittu, yesterday said the family of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke can only refuse to appear before a state-ordered inquest if the decision is backed by a court order.

    He said refusing to appear before a Coroner could be unlawful.

    Shittu, however, said the circumstances of the Senator’s death means it may not be ideal to compel the family to appear at the inquest.

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) law teacher was reacting to the family’s rejection of a coroner’s Inquest ordered by the Osun State government to determine the cause of the politician’s death.

    Following Adeleke’s death on April 30, Governor Rauf Aregbesola signed an executive order setting up a coroner inquest under the state’s Coroner Law of 2002. He appointed a Magistrate, Mr Olusegun Ayodele, as the Coroner.

    Rejecting the inquest, the family said it was ill advised, self serving and its outcome per-determined.

    Shittu said other factors outside the legal  consequences of the family’s rejection of the inquest must be considered.

    “Without a court order, it’ll be difficult for the family to sustain its position, because that may be tantamount to interfering with lawfully constituted authority.

    “But these are not issues that can be resolved by legal considerations alone. We also have to take into cognizance other permutations, including the psychological feelings of the family.

    “This is why it’s not a matter that is strictly legal. There are extra-legal factors that need to be considered going forward,” he said.

    According to Shittu, the family has genuine reasons to be emotional.

    “Considering the circumstances surrounding Senator Adeleke’s death, the family or any other sane Nigerian is entitled to be suspicious. This was a man who a day previously was not showing any signs of any sickness. This may have informed the decision taken by the family, obviously out of frustration.

    “I must say that inspite of that, the family is advised to cooperate and collaborate with the state government in determining the cause of death of this great Nigerian.

    “I want to also believe that the government of Osun State under Ogbeni Aregbesola means very well in this exercise. The family will be doing the soul of the departed good if they cooperate until we see cogent and compelling evidence of complicity.

    “This inquest is not something that is capable of being manipulated because the entire world is watching,” Shittu added.