Court remands 11 over alleged plot to disrupt ekiti APC Reps primary, Oyebanji suspends aide

An Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of 11 men allegedly involved in a plot to disrupt the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, while Governor Biodun Oyebanji has suspended one of the suspects who serves as his appointee.

Chief Magistrate Adeosun of Court 1, Ado Ekiti Magisterial District, granted the remand order following an ex-parte application filed by the Ekiti State Police Command pursuant to Sections 264 (1) and (2) of the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law and Order 6 Rule 4 of the ACJL Rules 2020.

The application, moved by ASP Oriyomi alongside the Police Legal Officer, S.O. Osobu Esq., sought an order remanding the suspects at the Ado Ekiti Correctional Centre pending the conclusion of police investigation into allegations bordering on conspiracy, political violence and attempts to destabilize the APC primary election process.

According to court documents, the suspects were arrested and later paraded at the Ekiti State Police Headquarters on Friday. Police authorities alleged that the suspects confessed during interrogation to being sponsored by a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akinlayo Davidson Kolawole, to cause disruption during the primary election. The police, however, noted that investigation into the allegation is still ongoing.

After reviewing the police application, including Form K and supporting affidavits, the court approved a 30-day remand order to enable investigators complete their probe. The matter was subsequently adjourned till June 16, 2026, for further mention.

The defendants listed in the court documents are Adekunle Stephen, Adepoju Adebayo, Boluwaji Ishola, Oluwatobi Adeoluwa, Akintunde Emmanuel, Adewale Makanjuola, Ibitola Babatope, Abanikanda Sikiru, Dayo Ibijowo, Ajayi Dele and Adegbite Damola.

Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has announced the immediate suspension of one of the suspects, Mr Dayo Ibijowo, popularly known as “Ijaya,” from his position in government following his arrest by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) over alleged armed thuggery.

Ibijowo was among the 11 suspects arrested in Ikun-Ekiti and paraded by the police in connection with the alleged plot to disrupt the APC primary election.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, the Governor said Ibijowo would remain suspended pending the outcome of the police investigation and prosecution.

The statement noted that the suspension reflects the Oyebanji administration’s zero tolerance for criminality, violence and acts capable of threatening public peace.

Governor Oyebanji, who recently concluded a statewide campaign tour across the 16 local government areas of the state, had repeatedly called on politicians, party supporters and residents to maintain peace before, during and after the electioneering process.

Reiterating his appeal for peaceful conduct, the Governor stressed that his administration would not tolerate any form of violence or criminal activity capable of undermining the state’s security and democratic process.