Wakili: We’ll ensure no miscarriage of justice ― Makinde

Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, has promised to ensure no miscarriage of justice in the case involving notorious Fulani, Iskilu Wakili.

As part of measures to ensure the police diligently handles Wakili’s arrest, Makinde said he had invited state Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, for a briefing on the situation.

Wakili was, on Sunday, arrested by men of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) in the Kajola area of Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State and subsequently handed over to the police.

Another twist had followed the arrest of Wakili, with the police arresting four of the OPC men that launched the operation on Wakili.

Calling for calm, Makinde urged residents of the state to trust in the capability of those saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order to carry out a thorough investigation of the Wakili matter.

Makinde, who spoke at an event held at the governor’s office, Ibadan, said he will ensure that anyone, irrespective of their ethnic background or religion, is dealt with, in accordance with laid down laws.

He said: “We are aware of the events regarding Iskilu Wakili at Kajola community in Ibarapa North Local Government Area and the Nigeria police’s handling of the matter. I want to assure you that we are taking all necessary steps to ensure that the interests of the good people of Oyo State are protected.

“I will like to use this opportunity to tell our people that, the government is doing everything within its power to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice. Anyone that is found wanting or that has broken the law, irrespective of their ethnic background or their religion will be dealt with in accordance with the law of the land.

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“So, people shouldn’t go into overdrive. I have asked the Commissioner of Police to see me today and I have been given the assurance that they will do a thorough investigation into the security situation in the area.

“And I appeal to our people to please let us be calm. Please let us refrain from ethnic profiling, let us have trust in the ability and capability of the people saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order within our state.

“It is the government that you put in place and the government will continue to work in the interest of the people of Oyo State.”

Monday’s event at the governor’s office saw Makinde flag-off the distribution of 2.7milion exercise books to students of secondary schools in the state.

The event also saw Makinde announce that, over the weekend, he signed the payment of grants to schools.

He assured that his government will continue to commit resources to the education sector of the state.

“We believe, as a government, that if we get it right at the primary and secondary school levels, and if we have sound students, some products (students) coming out of our (secondary) schools, we would have been about 70 per cent close to what we want to achieve in education.

“So, in the days ahead, we are taking the issue of infrastructures in our school more seriously. In the days ahead, we will be having new chairs and tables, we will continue to renovate the schools, both through UBEC and direct resources of the state,” Makinde said.

The governor also described as a blatant lie, a statement credited to an Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which alleged that his administration disallowed Muslim female students from wearing a hijab.

“Last week, I read somewhere that an organisation called MURIC said we don’t allow students to wear hijab. But the student from Elekuro High School, named Ajao Aliya, is wearing her hijab attending this event. For us in Oyo State, there is the freedom to practice your religion and nobody can divide us through religion.”

“I will use this opportunity to call on all stakeholders to please work with the government. Don’t play politics with the future of our children. If we are doing certain things right, tell us and if we are falling short in certain areas, please tell us also because this is our future and we should all work together to ensure that, that future is really secured and guaranteed,” Makinde added.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Wakili: We’ll ensure no miscarriage of justice ― Makinde