Abiodun distances self from detention of blogger 

By Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta

Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has refuted a media report that he ordered the arrest and detention of a blogger, Ahmed Olamilekan, over a purported publication against his person.

The Punch newspaper had reported that Olamilekan, according to his lawyer, had spent 100 days in the custody of the Correctional Service, at the behest of the governor.

But Governor Abiodun’s Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, said the arrest and detention of the blogger has nothing to do with the governor.

The statement expressed dismay at the publication of the report which it described as “untrue and a deliberate attempt to shade the governor in a bad light.”

Somorin said that Governor Abiodun holds human rights and the rule of law in high esteem, adding the governor will not at any time act above the law.

He added that the matter is already before the court of law, pointing out that the governor who has a strong belief in the concept of separation of power, will never hinder or influence the judiciary process. 

Somorin urged the people to dismiss the allegation of the blogger’s lawyer as reported in the national newspaper.

“It is strictly a matter between the defendant, security agencies and the court,” the statement added.