8 January 2009
Lagos — Given the periodic rate of killings in Ekiti State, the rural state may be suitable to be described as the Biblical Akeldama, which in the the Jewish language means the field of blood.
Successive governments since the advent of the ongoing civil rule has had to battle several cases of murder. In this report, Toba Suleiman, who chronicles the heaps of assassination cases in the state, gives a vivid account of the recent murder which has altered the hitherto political serenity of the state
After heaving a sigh from the spate of assassinations which has become a recurring decimal in Ekiti State, another wave of the ugly scenario broke out last weekend, when Mr. Kehinde Fasubaa, a former General Manager, (Finance/Administration) at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Kaduna zone, was hacked down by yet to be identified gun men.
Consequently, the state capital, Ado Ekiti, went up in flames last Sunday, when angry youths and women took to the streets to protest the gruesome killing of an indigene of the town on Saturday night.
The atmosphere around the family compound still remained tensed on Wednesday, when THISDAY visited the scene. Emotion rose; tears flowed freely as both family members and sympathizers wailed uncontrollably in expression of the loss.
"Our lives have been ruined. The best of our clothes have been torn into pieces, and we are worse than the most wretched ones on earth. Who could have done this to us? Only God knows." These were extracts of lamentations from the family members of Fasubaa, who fell victim of assassins' bullet on Saturday, January 3, this year between the hours of 9pm and 10pm.
The deceased was the twin brother of Mr. Taye Fasubaa, a two-time former Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The killing of the Fasubaa, who was described as a great philanthropist in his life time, triggered spontaneous and violent protests among youths as well as women of Ado Ekiti.
By virtue of his generosity and popularity among his kinsmen, the killing of Fasubaa, who would have been 50 years old this year, would not be easily forgotten.
Apparently irked by the gruesome murder of Fasubaa, a benefactor of several people in the ancient community, as soon as the news of the incident filtered into the town on Sunday, several protesters, armed with dangerous weapons, took over Ado-Ekiti to express their displeasure over the dastardly act.
Consequently, several bonfires were made on some major streets, including Mathew/Odo-Ado, Ijigbo Junction, Old Garage and Oke-Yinmi round about. Besides, the aggrieved youths and women also barricaded major roads and streets, disrupting a free flow of traffic. Motorists were ordered to turn back, causing stampede in Ado-Ekiti. Some vehicles were also damaged, especially windscreens of vehicles of drivers who ran into the protesters. The anger generated by the killing was so acute that as early as 7 am on Sunday, the streets had been taken over by protesters as Christians were prevented from attending church services. Movement was also disrupted around the city. ?
THISDAY learnt that the deceased was warming up to contest the senatorial election of Ekiti Central senatorial district at the forthcoming 2011general election. He was said to be seriously considering resignation from his office, as soon as the coast would be clear for his political ambition. But this was not to be as he was cut down while his dream was still in a state of conception.
Although, the state government had ruled out notions that the killing was politically motivated, circumstances which surrounded killing have heightened opinions that the assassination might indeed be political.
A family source told THISDAY that the late Fasubaa was at home on December 25, 2008 for the Christmas celebration and was expected to spend his Christmas break of 10 days at home before returning to Kaduna.
The source said the slain Fasubaa was expected to return to Kaduna the following Monday, January 5, 2009. The source further hinted that the late Fasubaa, had rounded off some of his political meetings after due consultations with who is who in the politics of Ado-Ekiti. He was said to have attended at a particular meeting at a hotel within Housing Area on Afao Road in Ado-Ekiti on that fateful Saturday, which later turned out to be his last outing as he became a victim of assassins' bullet on his way back home in the state capital.
It was further learnt that the deceased was in company of one of his associates, Mr Tunji Gold and two other friends, whom he had given a ride in his Toyota Corolla car, when the assassins struck.
Sources disclosed that as soon as the PHCN manager was identified, the assassins, who dressed in black T-shirts, pumped several bullets into his chest and also shot sporadically into the air to scare people away. Other occupants of the car were ordered out and asked to lie face down, with one of them falling into the drainage. But the co-occupants were left untouched as soon as they identified their target.
The killers reportedly ensured that Kehinde died before they departed after about five minutes in two cars including a black 2008 model of Toyota Camry, with Lagos registration number and another Toyota Corolla.
Sympathizers later rushed the former PHCN manager to the University of Ado-Ekiti Teaching Hospital at about 11 pm, where he was confirmed dead. His corpse has since been deposited at a morgue in the state government hospital.
While reacting to the incident, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ekiti State Command, Mr. Mike Akindipe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the killing, said investigations by the command had commenced, which he said might require forensic assistance.
However, Mr. Femi Falana, a Lagos based lawyer and an indigene of Ilawe-Ekiti, alleged that the "condemnable" assassination could be traced to the internal problems in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State. According to Falana, who is also the President of the West African Bar Association (WABA), it became imperative for Ekiti State governor, Mr. Segun Oni, to expose the killers, whom he alleged, were within the PDP in the state.
"On December 20, 2008, Ekiti State Government thugs attempted to kill Mr. Suyi Owoeye at Ilawe-Ekiti, for challenging the rigging of local government election. Oni's government has shielded the PDP chieftains involved in the heinous crime. Let Governor Oni and the Ekiti Police Commissioner, Mr. Chris Ola, not shed crocodile tears over the brutal murder of Mr. Kehinde Fasubaa, as both connived in protecting criminal elements in the police and the Ekiti PDP," Falana alleged.
But contrary to rumours in some quarters that the state governor, Oni did not pay a condolence visit to the family, Oni actually visited the palace of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, where he met with the deceased's brother, Taye and simultaneously commiserated with the deceased family.
Taye, whose whereabouts was still unknown at press time last Wednesday, could according to a source, still be at the Ewi's palace, where he was said to be taken refuge since the incident occurred, probably to keep him away from the crowd of sympathizers.
Speaking at the Ewi's palace, Oni said it was too early to comment on the sad incident adding that the police had already started investigation, just as he urged the people to wait for the outcome of the investigation before conclusions are drawn. But Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Public Communications, Mr. Joseph Ogunsemi, dismissed the alleged involvement of the state government in the killing, saying the state governor is a man of peace, who cannot even hurt a fly and hence could never have imagined any assassination in the state that he governs. This is moreso that the deputy governor, Dr. Sikiru Lawal, is also an indigene of Ado-Ekiti. The spokesman lamented that linking the administration of Oni to the murder, would amount to giving the dog a bad name in order to hang it.
"Insinuations that Ekiti government might be responsible for the assassination is wicked and can only emanate from a demented mind. The state government cannot be involved in any way whatsoever. Governor Oni's administration is known for peace and good governance. I urge the people of the state to support the security agencies to carry out full investigations into the murder of our promising son. God will surely vindicate the just and punish the wicked accordingly.
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