By Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN
I have just read the press release by the Spokesperson to the Governor of Osun State, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.
Governments at all levels and the general public should not allow bloggers and internet idlers to mislead them to unnecessarily harass, vilify and attack the judiciary through the dissemination of half-truths and outright lies.
The report that the prisoner was convicted and sentenced to death for stealing a fowl is a pure lie and cheap blackmail that was packaged to secure freedom for the prisoner through a backdoor.
The prisoner was a member of a notorious gang of armed robbers that were terrorising the people of Othe do-Otin local government area of Osun State before he was arrested, arraigned and tried before the high court of Osun State where he was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging.
It was a very fair trial and there was no appeal against the judgement since same was delivered about 14 years ago.
It must be made clear that I am not disputing the right of any Governor or even the President to grant pardon to any convict as the same is a constitutional provision.
However, it is unconstitutional for any Governor or President to investigate the circumstances under which any judge delivered his judgement and or the reason(s) and or proprietary or otherwise of the judgement. The executive lacks such powers.
It is a clear usurpation of the powers vested in the judiciary by the Constitution. It is always deeply traumatic whenever Judges are being bullied and harassed on the internet for performing their lawful duties, more so when such attacks are even premised on falsehood and rumours.
We must avoid exposing our Judges to dangers an risk of being attacked by criminals which can lead to loss of lives.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun has unlimited powers to set free the convict in question and any other convicts for that matter without any reason, but that unconstitutional investigation must be stopped forthwith.
I hope that the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Osun State shall properly advise his principal on this matter.
Dated 18th December, 2024
Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN
Asiwaju of Ita-Ege & Idi-Aro,
Ward 5, Ibadan South-East Local Area of Oyo State, and Agbaofin of Orile-Igbon, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State.
