Omoyele Sowore has questioned the arraignment of 11 suspects over the October 30 attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti, describing the prosecution as an alleged attempt to divert attention from those he believes organised and sponsored the incident.

The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate also released a list of 12 individuals and government officials whose alleged roles, associations and actions he wants subjected to an independent criminal investigation.

In a statement issued following the reported arraignment by the Ekiti State Police Command, Sowore argued that the individuals he had previously identified as principal suspects in the attack had not been arrested or brought before a court.

He alleged that the current proceedings could create the impression that justice was being pursued while those who allegedly planned, financed and coordinated the violence remained outside the investigation.

Sowore further called for the removal or suspension of Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, pending an independent examination of how the case has been handled.

Sowore Questions Arraignment of 11 Suspects Over Ekiti Attack

According to Sowore, the 11 individuals arraigned by the police were not among the principal perpetrators his team had publicly identified in connection with the attack at Tawakalitu Restaurant in Ado-Ekiti.

He questioned why the victims were allegedly not contacted before the arraignment and demanded that the police disclose the charges filed against the suspects and the evidence supporting the prosecution.

The AAC candidate also raised concerns about the handling of the crime scene, particularly the alleged removal of CCTV equipment and claims that important recordings may have been erased.

He insisted that the investigation should establish the identities of those who carried out the attack, as well as anyone who may have organised, financed or facilitated it.

The police had previously announced the arrest of 11 suspects following an operation in the Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti on October 30, 2026. The Command said investigations were continuing to establish their individual roles and identify other possible persons involved.

However, Sowore maintains that the arrests and subsequent arraignment do not sufficiently address the questions surrounding the alleged organisers of the incident.

Sowore Names 12 Individuals for Investigation

In his latest statement, Sowore identified 12 people, including political figures, government officials, security personnel and individuals associated with political groups, whom he believes should be questioned as part of the investigation.

The individuals named and the reasons provided by Sowore are as follows:

1. Biodun Oyebanji: The Ekiti State Governor was named over allegations concerning possible links between individuals associated with his administration and the attack. Sowore also referred to information his team allegedly obtained while tracing stolen electronic devices to locations around the Governor’s Lodge and Office.
2. CSP Ayodele Akinlua: The Governor’s Chief Security Officer was asked to explain an alleged telephone warning issued hours before the incident, reportedly stating that Sowore’s safety could not be guaranteed if he proceeded with his political activities in Ekiti State.
3. CP Falade Adegoroye Michael: The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police was named over the Command’s initial description of the incident as an altercation, the handling of the crime scene, the alleged removal of CCTV equipment and concerns about the preservation of evidence.
4. Ekiti State DSS Director and relevant operatives: Sowore called for an investigation into allegations that personnel of the Department of State Services provided location information or operational assistance to the attackers.
5. Adenijo Sola, popularly known as Solar: Sowore identified him as an alleged leader of the armed group involved in the incident. He also called for an examination of his reported relationships with individuals connected to the Ekiti State Government and the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority.
6. Omotuyi Temitope, also known as Tope Jinadu Small: He and other individuals reportedly associated with the Ekiti State chapter of the City Boys Movement were named for questioning over their alleged involvement.
7. Asefon Sunday Dayo: The former National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) president, identified in the statement as a Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu and National Director of Student Engagement of the City Boys Movement, was named over alleged associations with individuals identified by Sowore’s team.
8. Olayinka Oyebode: The Ekiti State Governor’s Chief Press Secretary was asked to explain the circumstances surrounding the government’s response to the attack and its handling of the allegations raised by Sowore.
9. Makinde Araoye: The Ikogosi Marathon organiser and other event organisers were named over questions concerning Sowore’s reported exclusion from the event and any information they might have possessed about threats to his safety.
10. Ayodeji Akintade Ifeoluwa, popularly known as AK: Sowore alleged that he had been identified in footage of the incident carrying a machete and attacking a member of his team. He called for independent examination of the original recordings to establish the identities and actions of those captured.
11. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo: The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority was named over alleged connections with individuals implicated in the incident, particularly Sola Adenijo, also known as Solar.
12. Lere Olayinka Aresa: The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was also mentioned in information Sowore said his team had received concerning the attack.

Sowore maintained that the inclusion of these individuals was intended to guide investigators towards people whose actions or associations he believes require further examination.

Sowore Demands Explanation Over Missing CCTV Recordings and Stolen Devices

Another major concern raised by the AAC candidate involves the alleged disappearance or destruction of evidence connected to the attack.

Sowore questioned why CCTV equipment was reportedly removed from the restaurant and what happened to the original recordings.

He also demanded information about the whereabouts of mobile phones and other electronic devices allegedly stolen during the incident.

He wants the police to secure and preserve all available recordings, conduct forensic examinations and recover the missing devices.

According to him, investigators should also examine communication records and other electronic evidence that could help establish the sequence of events and identify anyone who may have participated in planning or carrying out the attack.

Sowore Calls for Removal of Ekiti Commissioner of Police

Sowore has specifically demanded the immediate removal or suspension of CP Falade Adegoroye Michael while an independent investigation examines the police response to the incident.

He questioned the Command’s initial description of the attack, its handling of the crime scene and the allegations surrounding the removal of CCTV equipment.

He also called on the Inspector-General of Police to establish an independent investigative team to examine the entire incident.

Among the measures he requested are the preservation of electronic evidence, recovery of stolen devices, forensic examination of available CCTV recordings and investigations into anyone credibly linked to the planning, financing, execution or concealment of the attack.

The demand for an independent investigation, according to Sowore, is necessary to ensure that the inquiry addresses all aspects of the incident rather than focusing exclusively on the individuals already arrested.

Police Investigation Faces Further Questions

The latest statement adds another dimension to the controversy surrounding the October 30 attack in Ado-Ekiti.

Although the Ekiti State Police Command previously confirmed the arrest of 11 suspects and said investigations were continuing, Sowore insists that the authorities must also establish whether other individuals were involved.

The allegations against the governor, security officials, political figures and other individuals named in his statement have not been established by the information available. Their inclusion in the list should not be interpreted as proof of wrongdoing.

The police are yet to provide, in the material available for this report, detailed responses to the specific allegations raised in Sowore’s latest statement.

The central questions now concern the evidence supporting the prosecution, the whereabouts of the alleged missing recordings and devices, and whether investigators will examine the additional individuals identified by the AAC candidate.

For Sowore, the arrest and arraignment of suspects will not constitute sufficient accountability unless the investigation establishes the full circumstances of the attack and brings anyone found culpable before the law.