By Ayo Kehinde
Former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu has dismissed allegations linking his personal assistant, Ajiboye Sangogade, to the recent abduction of his younger sister and her twin sons, accusing political opponents of orchestrating a smear campaign to damage the reputation of his aide.
The former minister, through a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Femi Awogboro, described the allegations as false, malicious, and politically motivated, warning those behind the claims to desist immediately or face legal consequences.
The statement followed the recent kidnapping of Adelabu’s younger sister, Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, and her twin sons, Peter and Paul, who were abducted by gunmen in Ibadan before they were rescued through police operations that led to the arrest of suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate.
Awogboro maintained that Sangogade was never identified by the police as a suspect in the case and challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence to support their claims.
“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 statement said.
According to him, the Oyo State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, had publicly briefed journalists on the outcome of investigations and arrests made in connection with the kidnapping without mentioning Sangogade as part of the criminal network.
“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 stated.
He accused those spreading the allegations of attempting to gain political advantage by tarnishing the image of Adelabu’s aide, alleging that the same individuals had previously circulated claims that Sangogade was being positioned to secure the APC ticket for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election.
Awogboro noted that such claims ultimately proved unfounded, stressing that the latest allegations were another failed attempt to mislead the public.
“Their lies and cooked-up stories have been exposed by the police account of the incident,” he said.
Defending Sangogade’s character, the statement described him as a man of integrity with a credible public record, insisting that there was no basis whatsoever for linking him to the abduction.
“We therefore reject the claim in totality because we know he does not know or have a hand in the incident as 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,” Awogboro said.
