Adelabu’s Aide Denies PA’s Link To Sister’s Kidnap

Femi Awogboro, media aide to former Minister of Power and 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has warned individuals linking Adelabu’s personal assistant, Ajiboye Sangogade, to the abduction of the ex-minister’s younger sister and her twin sons to desist or face legal action.

Naija News reports that Awogboro, in a statement issued in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday, said Sangogade had no involvement in the kidnapping of Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her twin sons, Peter and Paul.

He described the allegation as a “fabricated narrative” and warned those spreading it to stop.

Awogboro described the claims as “false, malicious, and uncalled for,” saying those behind the allegation were attempting to damage Sangogade’s image and reputation.

He stated, “It has come to our notice that some individuals, who are enemies of progress and of the state, are peddling rumours that the Personal Assistant to Adelabu, Sangogade, orchestrated the kidnapping of Adelabu’s sister and nephews in Ibadan.

“The recent press statement and interview by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, concerning the kidnapping incident, exonerated Sangogade from the allegation, as his name was never mentioned in the police briefing as part of the kidnapping syndicate.”

Awogboro challenged those spreading the rumour to show where the police spokesperson mentioned Sangogade in connection with the case.

He said the PPRO only mentioned one Segun and did not link Sangogade to the abduction in any way.

The aide alleged that those linking Sangogade to the incident were doing so for political reasons.

He said not every issue should be politicised, especially a criminal matter involving abducted family members.

He further stated, “Their lies and cooked-up stories have been exposed by the police account of the incident. These same set of people also lied against Adelabu by claiming that he ceded the party ticket for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election to his PA, Ajiboye, who is not from the constituency. Meanwhile, Wale Olatunji emerged as the flag bearer of the party for the election.

“This is not the first time they have been peddling lies and rumours. So, we urge the public and party members not to fall for their tricks.”

‘Sangogade Has Impeccable Character’

Awogboro described Sangogade as a man of good reputation with “impeccable pedigree and antecedents.”

He insisted that Adelabu’s personal assistant could not have been involved in the abduction.

“We therefore reject the claim in totality because we know he does not know or have a hand in the incident as being speculated. Any further attempt to tarnish Sangogade’s image and reputation will be rejected vehemently, and the camp will ensure that whoever is found guilty is brought to justice,” he added.

John-Paul and her twin sons were abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, in Ibadan. They were abducted at Elewura-Challenge in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of the state.

The attackers were said to have trailed the vehicle conveying the victims from their home before stopping them around 7:30 a.m.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, on Sunday, June 7, paraded four suspects arrested in connection with the abduction.

While parading the suspects at the state Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, the commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and report fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate.

Items recovered from the suspects included three pump-action rifles, 14 live cartridges, an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla allegedly used during the abduction, criminal charms, a battle axe, a hammer, substances suspected to be hard drugs and two face masks.

The building linked to the suspects was later demolished in the early hours of Monday, June 8, by the state government, while the land was revoked.