SARAKI PETITIONS IGP, DSS OVER FALSE ALLEGATIONS

The immediate past Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki has petitioned the Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba over the alleged false, malicious and inciting information by one Fafoluyi Olayinka Michael against the person of former President of the Senate.

Also copied in the petition signed by the Special Assistant Security Matters to the former Senate President Taju Alabi are the DG Department of State Services Abuja and the Director of the Ilorin Office.

Fafoluyi who is a Special Assistant New Media to the Kwara state governor according to the petition,  posted on his Facebook page on January 29th 2023 that the police has arrested 'a Saraki assassin at a APC rally in Ilorin'.

According to the statement "In the said publication, Fafoluyi, claimed that “Police overpowers Saraki’s assassin, Ojulari on the attempt (sic) to kill All Progressives Congress candidate for Ilorin West/Asa federal constituency, Muktar Shagaya at APC rally in Ilorin”. 

"This publication is not only false, malicious, and destructive, it is a deliberate attempt to malign the person of the former number three man in the country, expose him and his family to ridicule, and needlessly incite public hatred against his person and his family. 

"This false information is criminal defamation that is capable of provoking the numerous supporters of Dr. Saraki in Kwara State, in particular, and Nigeria as a whole," it stated.

Continuing "To worsen the matter and expose the evil intention of Fafoluyi, Muktar Shagaya who he claimed to be the subject of a so-called attack has in another publication on the same FaceBook denied the false claims by Fafoluyi. 

"What this means is that Fafoluyi simply fabricated the falsehood that he published," it added. 

Saraki noted the publication under reference is not the first time that  Fafoluyi and his cohorts have defamed Dr. Saraki on radio, television, newspapers, and all social media platforms. 

"Our prayer, therefore, is that the police should invite Mr. Fafoluyi to prove this grave allegation while the matter is taken before the court as a case of criminal defamation, in which the accused person will have the opportunity to either prove his claims or face the consequence of his action.

"We believe that if the Police do not move swiftly on this matter, particularly close to the election period, it may lead to public disturbance and heighten the tension in the state as we all prepare for the general elections in the next few weeks," it added