Ekiti ADC chieftains arraigned over alleged fight for chairmanship

By Boye Oyeyemi

Two chieftains of the African Democratic Congress in Ekiti State, Dr. Bamidele Ekundayo, 73, and Ilesanmi Omolayo, 45, have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti over an alleged dispute concerning the party’s state chairmanship.

The defendants were accused of engaging in a confrontation after separately laying claim to the leadership position of the ADC in the state.

The prosecutor, ASP Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendants and others still at large allegedly threatened violence and caused a disturbance in Ado-Ekiti on or before October 2, 2026.

Oriyomi said the alleged offences contravened Sections 181(1)(d), 69 and 421 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State.

According to the prosecutor, the allegations stemmed from a disagreement over who should be recognised as the state chairman of the ADC, which later resulted in the alleged confrontation.

The prosecutor further told the court that the defendants were involved in the dispute alongside other persons who have not been apprehended.

Counsel to the defendants, Oluwasola Fapohunda, urged the court to grant them bail, assuring that they would comply with the conditions and appear for subsequent proceedings.

Ruling on the bail application, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until October 30, 2026, for hearing.