Police Never Mentioned Him! Adelabu’s Camp Blasts Critics Over Kidnap Allegations.
The camp of former Minister of Power and leading All Progressives Congress (APC) figure in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has strongly rejected allegations linking his Personal Assistant, Ajiboye Sangogade, to the recent kidnapping of Adelabu’s sister and her twin sons in Ibadan, warning that those spreading such claims may face legal consequences.
The warning was issued by Comrade Femi Awogboro, media aide to Chief Adelabu, who described the allegations against Sangogade as false, malicious, and politically motivated.
In a statement made available to journalists, Awogboro maintained that there is no evidence connecting Sangogade to the kidnapping incident and urged members of the public to disregard what he called fabricated stories designed to tarnish the reputation of Adelabu’s aide.
According to him, the position of the camp is supported by information already made public by the Oyo State Police Command during its investigation and briefing on the case.
Awogboro pointed to statements credited to the Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, CSP Ayanlade Olayinka, arguing that the police never mentioned Ajiboye Sangogade as a suspect or participant in the criminal act.
He challenged individuals promoting the allegations to identify any official police communication in which Sangogade’s name was linked to the kidnapping syndicate.
“The police briefing is in the public domain,” Awogboro stated. “At no point was Ajiboye Sangogade mentioned as being involved in the incident. The police spokesperson referred to an individual identified as Segun in connection with the matter, but Sangogade was never named or associated with the crime.”
The media aide further alleged that those circulating the claims are attempting to exploit a sensitive security issue for political advantage, insisting that criminal matters should not be turned into tools for partisan attacks.
He argued that the police account of the incident had effectively disproved what he described as “lies and concocted stories” being circulated against Sangogade and the Adelabu political camp.
Awogboro also recalled what he described as previous attempts by political opponents to spread misinformation against Adelabu and his associates.
As an example, he referenced claims that Chief Adelabu had allegedly influenced the APC ticket for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election in favour of Sangogade. According to him, such reports were proven false after Hon. Wale Olatunji Murphy eventually emerged as the party’s candidate for the election.
He maintained that the recurring allegations form part of a broader campaign aimed at discrediting key figures within Adelabu’s political structure.
“It has come to our notice that some individuals who are enemies of progress and the development of Oyo State are spreading rumours that Ajiboye Sangogade orchestrated the kidnapping of Chief Adelabu’s sister and nephews,” the statement said.
Awogboro described Sangogade as a respected individual with a long-standing reputation built on integrity, loyalty, and public service. He insisted that the allegations are inconsistent with the character and antecedents of the APC chieftain’s aide.
He further stated that Sangogade neither had knowledge of nor involvement in the incident and should not be subjected to public condemnation based on unverified claims and speculation.
“We reject the allegation in its entirety because we know he has no connection whatsoever with the incident being speculated about,” Awogboro said.
The Adelabu camp also warned that any further attempts to associate Sangogade with the kidnapping without evidence could be viewed as defamation and may attract legal action against those responsible.
Awogboro stressed that while citizens have the right to express opinions, such rights must not extend to the dissemination of false information capable of damaging an individual’s reputation.
He concluded by urging party members, supporters, and the general public to rely on verified information from security agencies and credible sources rather than rumours circulating on social media and political platforms.
The kidnapping incident, which generated significant concern across Oyo State, remains a subject of public interest, with law enforcement authorities continuing their efforts to ensure justice is served and all those genuinely connected to the crime are held accountable in accordance with the law.
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