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Group alleges threat to life, petitions Oyo Police Commissioner

A human rights group, under the aegis of Veteran Organization for Human Rights Initiative (VOHRI), has petitioned the Commissioner of Police in Oyo state, Mr. Shina Olukolu, over alleged threat to life and removal of the President of Association of Nigerian Barbers (ANB), Oyo state chapter, Mr. Mufutau Akinbami from the office.

The group insisted that it was unlawful for two former presidents of the association, Mr. Lucky Possible and Mr. Biodun Lawal to threat the life of Mr. Akinbami and remove him from the office illegally.

VOHRI, in the petition entitled, “A passionate plea for redress to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police on case of intimidation, serious threat to life, illegal seizure and illegal sacking of the elected President of Oyo state association of Nigerian Barbers (ANB) by Mr. Lucky Possible and Chief Biodun Lawal, called on the Commissioner of Police to intervene in the case before it snowballs into full-blown crisis resulting in breach of peace and loss of lives.

VORHI Lead Activist, Comrade Ayobami Sakirullahi and General Secretary, Comrade Abimbola Adekunle, alleged that Mr. Possible, Biodun Lawal, Luqman Adebayo, Sahid Suraju, Nuremi Suraju, Iyalode and others are hell-bent at unleashing terror on Mr Mufutau Akinbami on Thursday 20th June, 2019 when they intend to install the new executives.

The duo in the petition, copies of which were sent to Governor Seyi Makinde of the state, Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Director, Department of State Security, Area Commander, Agodi, DPO Agugu Division, urged the concerned authorities to intervene in the matter and forestall any attempt by the aforementioned members to forcefully install another President tomorrow (Thursday).

“Consequent upon illegal removal of Mr. Mufutau Akinbami from office as the Oyo State President of Association of Nigerian Barbers, contrary to section 34, 35 & 36 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2010, as amended and a negation of the Association of Nigerian Barbers’ constitution Article 15 (1), we therefore call on you Sir, Oyo State Commissioner of Police to intervene in this case before it snowballs into full-blown crisis resulting in breach of peace and loss of lives.

“Mr. Possible, Biodun Lawal, Luqman Adebayo, Sahid Suraju, Nuremi Suraju, Iyalode and others are hell-bent at unleashing terror on Mr Mufutau Akinbami on Thursday 20th June, 2019 when they intend to install the new Kangaroo executives into office.

“VOHRI demands nothing but justice. An injustice to one, is an injustice to all. We therefore demand nothing but justice. We count on your usual assistance and quick intervention in this regard. To the end, VOHRI is obliged to intervene in this ease of illegal sacking and serious threat to life meted on Mr. Mufutau Akinbami, Oyo State President of the Association of Nigerian Barbers.

“Mr. Akinbami was sworn in as President of the association on the 9th November, 2017 and was issued with a certificate of recognition and signed by Chief Abiodun Lawal former President of the association. The executive of the association swung into action and things went on without crisis what-so-ever.

“When all efforts to instigate members of the association against him proved abortive, they, then, called an emergency general meeting of all executive members on the 13th June 2019 where he, Mr. Possible single handedly proclaimed the removal from office of Mr. Mufutau Akinbami, without regard to Article 15(1) of the association constitution which states that the President with the support of 2/3 majority committee by voting shall remove any zonal chairman if there is any, misconduct/mischief, fraud/stealing”, the petition reads.

While narrating his ordeal, Akinbami alleged that Mr. Possible, Bayo Lawal and others have concluded plans to install another President on the association.

The embattled President who said that the case of alleged threat to his life has been reported at Ogbere Police Station in Ibadan, he, however called on concerned authorities to intervene so as to prevent breakdown of laws and order in the state.

However, all efforts made by our correspondent to get the reactions of the duo of Possible and Lawal proved to be abortive. Several calls put through Possible’s line were not successful while calls put through Lawal’s telephone were not answered.