Media aide to a former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, Lere Olayinka has described his arrest and subsequent detention by the Police as an act of tyranny.
Olayinka in a statement on Wednesday said said he would not succumb to harassment and intimidation. While thanking on Nigerians for expressing concerns over his detention, he berated supporters of Senator Biodun Olujimi for celebrating his predicament.
“I was invited by the police and I willingly honoured the invitation because I have nothing to hide. It is, however, funny that after the police had agreed to grant me administrative bail yesterday and I was ready to meet the bail conditions, the state government put pressure on the police, seeking the invocation of ‘Form K’ to allow for my detention for two months.
“Whatever they planned to achieve with this, I can say it boldly that they have failed and I will never be harassed to submission. I am used to their tactics and like it happened eight years ago, tyranny will be defeated again.
“I thank Nigerians who showed concern and I assure them that I won’t succumb to tyranny. As for those who rejoiced over my detention with the belief that the perfected plan to have me remanded in prison custody indefinitely will succeed, especially those in the camp of Senator Biodun Olujimi in the PDP in Ekiti State, now that your joy has been short-lived, what else?” He said.
The Police had on Wednesday arraigned Olayinka before Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court for alleged abuse of office and fraud.
According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Johnson Okunade, the defendant committed the offence between 2014 and 2018 at Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State at Ilokun in Ado-Ekiti.
“The defendant, who was the spokesman of the former Governor of Ekiti State, as a public officer, abused his office when he failed to remit the commercial revenue which accrued to the BSES totalling N13.5m to the coffers of Ekiti State Government” he alleged.
“The defendant, being the director-general of BSES, abused his office when he authorised travelling allowance totalling N7m in his name for journeys not embarked on.”
Olayinka pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was granted bail to the sum of N1m with two sureties, one a community leader and the other with a proof of ownership of landed property. The case was adjourned to April 27 for hearing.
