Female Journalist Alleges Assault by Former Ekiti Commissioner, Appeals for Protection from Land Grabbers

Female Journalist Alleges Assault by Former Ekiti Commissioner, Appeals for Protection from Land Grabbers

By Joseph Sunday

A former Ekiti State commissioner, Alhaji Tajudeen Olamide Arowolo, is accused of assaulting Mrs. Elizabeth Bamidele, a female journalist, in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

Bamidele has appealed to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, expressing fears for her safety and that of her three children, claiming that land grabbers have been threatening her peace. She alleges that Arowolo led an assault on her on October 30, 2024, as she tried to prevent trespassing on her property, which she has owned for four years.

Bamidele recounted purchasing the land from Evangelist Obafemi Oladele (of the Igbari Family) in 2011 and moving into her home during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, she has been unable to reach Oladele for support, as his contact has been unreachable. She maintains that she holds valid legal documents and survey plans for the land.

She identified others allegedly involved in the harassment, including Yemi Omojo Ibo, Daniel, Ojo, and Mr. Tunde, noting that TKO Aluko accompanied Arowolo to the police station, although Aluko was not present during the incident.

At a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Ado Ekiti, Mrs. Bamidele recounted her ordeal, describing Arowolo as a “notorious land grabber from Awo Ekiti.” She questioned his interest in her property on New Iyin Ekiti Road, pointing out the distance between Iyin Ekiti and Awo Ekiti.

Despite police intervention, Arowolo has allegedly continued to harass her. According to Bamidele, the case was initially scheduled for court on October 31, but Arowolo missed the appointment, citing a family bereavement and rescheduling for early the following week.

In response, Alhaji Arowolo explained that he missed the police summons due to a bereavement and assured that he would be available for proceedings on Monday or Tuesday. He denied assaulting Bamidele, questioning her mental stability and asserting that her statement to the police implicated her. He further alleged that she disregarded police advice on the disputed land, claiming she bought it from an unqualified seller. “We informed her that the land does not belong to the person from whom she bought it,” he explained, noting that they reported the issue to the police to avoid taking matters into their own hands.

Addressing accusations of using a stick to beat her, Arowolo challenged her to show any visible injuries, adding, “I’m a two-time commissioner here in Ekiti. I know the value of a human being. During a misunderstanding, if someone clings to another person, an injury might occur in the process of separating them.”

He continued, “After holding onto the boy, I had to separate them, and she sustained an injury during the process. How could I have used a stick? All kinds of lies are now being spread. She held onto someone first, and we had to separate them. Then she went to the police and started pretending. Am I a fool?” he questioned.

Eyewitnesses, however, reportedly corroborated Bamidele’s claim that Arowolo beat her with sticks on her property, located at Rock/Peace Arena on New Iyin Ekiti Road, resulting in injuries. She was taken to the hospital by police officers assigned by Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Akinwale Adeniran, to investigate the matter.

As of now, the case is set to be heard in court, with both parties expected to present their accounts.