A man arrested in connection with an incident involving the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has alleged that he was hired by the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, Francis Eniade.
The suspect, who was reportedly arrested while wearing a police uniform and carrying a firearm, made the allegation during interrogation by security operatives.
In a video reviewed by SaharaReporters, the suspect admitted firing the weapon twice during the incident and said he had accompanied Eniade to the location.
However, the allegation against Eniade has not been independently verified.
During questioning about the firearm recovered from him, the suspect initially claimed ownership before later linking it to another individual.
“The gun belongs to me. My office owns it and I’m the one using,” he reportedly said.
When asked further about the ownership of the weapon, he added, “I own it. But it belongs to Ayodeji Onayemisi.”
The suspect also claimed that he brought the firearm from Lagos.
“I brought it from Lagos State, I won’t lie to you,” he said.
Asked how many times he fired the weapon, he admitted discharging it twice, claiming he believed occupants of a vehicle in the area were attempting to attack them.
The suspect repeatedly told investigators that he was working with Eniade.
“I follow Eniade,” he said.
He claimed that he worked at Eniade’s residence and had been hired to accompany the group to the location.
“I follow Eniade, but I don’t know anybody, I was only hired,” the suspect added.
According to him, a black SUV overtook Eniade’s vehicle, prompting questions from the APC candidate’s Personal Assistant, whom he identified as Taiwo.
“I know that the car was speeding, and a black SUV passed Eniade. His PA was saying why would Eniade be chasing that SUV,” he alleged.
Security operatives also questioned the suspect over his use of a police uniform and his apparent presentation as a police officer.
He claimed to belong to an organisation he identified as “NFS” and insisted that the group operates in Osun State.
“Yes, there is NFS in Osun,” he said, although he declined to provide specific details about where the organisation operates in the state.
Egbedun petitions police
The development comes days after Speaker Egbedun disclosed that his lawyers had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, over an alleged threat against him by Eniade.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday, Egbedun said the petition was not driven by political persecution or vendetta.
According to the Speaker, the move was aimed at protecting lives, upholding the law and safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process.
Egbedun also expressed concern over statements allegedly made by Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Eniade, which he said amounted to threats against opposition members and supporters.
With the Osun governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, the Speaker urged residents to remain calm and participate peacefully in the electoral process.
He particularly called on supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke to come out and exercise their franchise without fear.