Lawyer and public advocate Tope Temokun has called for the immediate removal of the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Michael Adegoroye Falade, over what he described as serious lapses in the investigation into the attack on Omoyele Sowore and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti on October 30, 2026.
Temokun, in a press release dated November 4, 2026, also demanded that the Inspector-General of Police take over the investigation, alleging that the Ekiti State Police Command’s decision to arraign 11 unidentified persons raises questions about the credibility, transparency and direction of the investigation.
He disclosed that a petition had already been submitted to the Inspector-General of Police, requesting the intervention of the police hierarchy and the transfer of the investigation to an independent team capable of establishing the circumstances surrounding the attack.
According to Temokun, concerns about the conduct of the investigation intensified after Sowore reportedly contacted officers in Ado-Ekiti to obtain an update on the case. He claimed that the officer who spoke with the activist told him that the police had nothing to investigate because he had not made a statement.
Temokun questioned how the same police command subsequently identified and arraigned 11 persons without first obtaining Sowore’s account or consulting him regarding the identification of those allegedly involved in the attack.
He argued that the sequence of events had created suspicions that the arraignment might have been intended to circumvent calls for the Inspector-General of Police to take over the investigation and potentially divert attention from the actual perpetrators.
The lawyer, however, did not present evidence in the statement establishing that the 11 persons arraigned were innocent or that the police deliberately selected them to protect other suspects. He insisted that the police should publicly demonstrate the evidence linking the accused persons to the incident and explain the procedures used to identify them.
“What evidence connects those arraigned to the attack? How were they identified? What steps have been taken to investigate the individuals Sowore expressly named?” Temokun asked, challenging the police to provide answers to the questions surrounding the case.
He maintained that the announcement of an arraignment should not be treated as proof that a credible investigation had been conducted, warning that law enforcement authorities must not shield those responsible for political violence or prosecute innocent people merely to create the impression that action has been taken.
Temokun also raised concerns about the possible suppression or destruction of evidence, arguing that the nature of the allegations and the manner in which the investigation was being handled made an independent inquiry necessary.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that all relevant evidence and investigative records were secured, witnesses were protected and the persons identified by Sowore were investigated fairly and thoroughly.
Beyond the immediate investigation, the public advocate questioned whether the leadership of the Ekiti State Police Command could be trusted to provide adequate security during the 2027 general elections if concerns about the protection of political actors and government critics remained unresolved.
“Anyone who cannot protect lives and property cannot be trusted to secure votes,” he declared, warning that the safety of voters, political candidates, opposition figures and government critics must not be compromised by violence or partisan considerations.
He specifically questioned how citizens could have confidence in the Commissioner of Police’s ability to supervise security during the politically sensitive 2027 election period if the command could not satisfactorily address an attack on a prominent political activist during a non-election period.
Temokun further called on the Office of the National Security Adviser to intervene, describing the attack on Sowore during his visit to Ekiti State as an incident with potential national security implications.
He argued that an alleged assassination attempt on a presidential candidate visiting a state within the federation should not be treated as an ordinary security incident, particularly where questions have been raised about the investigation and the identification of suspects.
The lawyer insisted that transferring the investigation to another team would not be sufficient if Commissioner Falade remained in charge of the Ekiti State Police Command. He therefore demanded the commissioner’s removal from the state and redeployment to an administrative desk role.
According to him, the demand is intended to address concerns about the leadership and impartiality of the command while allowing an independent team to investigate the attack without interference.
Temokun stressed that the matter extends beyond Sowore and his associates, arguing that the ability of citizens to visit any part of the country, participate in political activities, campaign and express dissent without fear of violence is fundamental to democratic participation.
He called for the identification and prosecution of everyone found to have planned, sponsored or carried out the attack, insisting that political violence must not be allowed to determine who can safely participate in public life.
As of the date of the press release, Temokun’s demands centred on the removal of Commissioner Falade, the transfer of the investigation to an independent police team, the preservation of evidence and the intervention of the National Security Adviser.
The allegations concerning the conduct of the investigation and the circumstances surrounding the arraignment of the 11 persons remain matters requiring verification. The police command’s explanation of the evidence against the accused persons, the identification process and the steps taken to investigate the individuals named by Sowore will be central to resolving the questions raised by the lawyer.
Chronicles Reporters will continue to follow developments in the case, including any official response from the Ekiti State Police Command and the Inspector-General of Police.
Tope Temokun, Lawyer and Public Advocate, issued the press release on November 4, 2026.