Police arrest Adeleke’s adviser, Muniru, over alleged defamation of character

A Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Political Matters, Mr Muniru Adebayo Raji, was Monday, reportedly arrested by the State Police command over alleged criminal defamation of character of the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke, popularly known as BANIK.

BANIK has last week petitioned the State Commissioner of Police, accusing Muniru of defaming his character by making false accusation against him.

In the petition filed by his lawyer, Adeoye Galadima and Associates, BANIK, who is a former CEO BANIK Investment Company, argued that Raji, on the Rave F.M 91.7 F.M Political programme, Oro Oselu on the 22nd of April, 2024, falsely alleged that he secured a contract from the government and absconded with the contract money.

The petition, signed by Barrister Muhydeen Adeoye read: “On the 22nd of April, 2024, one Muniru Adebayo Raji found his way to the Radio Studio of Rave 91.7 F.M and began to make criminal false allegation against his person (Our Client) on the radio programme, known as Oro Oselu anchored by one Mr Joshua Adenipekun and same was and is still being broadcast to the whole world.

“The said Muniru Raji accused him of receiving a contract at Oke-Oniti from the government of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and absconded with the money he received without executing the contract. He called him a fraudster by implication.

“The accusation was untrue, false, and unfounded, as he, either as an individual or through the company never received contract without execution and ran away with the money .The criminal accusation has gone a long way in affecting his reputation, integrity and honour and the name of the company as well as his family.

“The accusation has gone viral, as well-meaning people and friends of our client across the globe have begun to call his attention to the accusation to the extent of same becoming trending issue and social media dragging and exposing him to public ridicule and opprobrium. Being a political figure, in some quarters, ‘go and refund our money’ rented the air such that his life has been effectively threatened.

“It is submitted that this act of Muniru Raji is well caught by Section 373 of the Criminal Code and as such needs be investigated so as to avert a likely situation where an innocent person will be subjected to avoidable sorrow, humiliation, and public embarrassment over such a reckless criminal allegation as also provided under section 249 of the Criminal Code.

“Having exposed our client to public anger, our Client’s life is in danger, thus a need to look into the allegation”, the petition read.

Muniru has since been granted bail and is billed to show up again for further interrogation.