Bello is planning to implicate me over murder of his aide, Ogembe alleges

THE immediate-past senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Ahmed Ogembe, has alleged that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is planning to set him up over the killing of one Yusuf Adabenege, an aide to the governor.

However, in a swift reaction, the state Police Commissioner, Hakeem Busari, said investigation into the allegation against Senator Ogembe was still ongoing.

Ogembe, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the allegation in a press statement issued on Saturday in Lokoja the state capital.

He called on the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, to expedite action on unraveling the killing, stressing that this was one of the antics of the governor, who he said always believed that whoever was not in his support should be punished or eliminated.

Adabenege, a masquerade custodian, was killed last year by some gunmen. However, arrested suspects later alleged that they were contracted by Ogembe, who was then a serving senator, to kill Adabenege.

He said he had since petitioned the IGP, who promised to get to the root of the matter, stressing that he was worried that the police was foot-dragging over the investigation.

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He further alleged that the state police commissioner was yet to send the case file to Force Headquarters in Abuja, as directed by the IGP, calling on the IGP to enforce the order he gave to the commissioner.

The police commissioner, who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Aya, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said investigation into the allegation against Ogembe was still ongoing.

He maintained that there was no directive from the IGP requesting for any case file, stressing that the issue of disobeying any order did not arise.

“The allegation against Ogembe is being handled by the homicide department of the force. Investigation into the matter is still ongoing. Therefore, there couldn›t have been any directive requesting any case file as alleged by the former senator.

“We, therefore, call on the public to disregard the allegation. It is only when investigations are concluded that further actions will be taken on the matter,” he said.