Get Guardian on GoogleThe killing of Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as “Emir Ajagungbade,” in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has drawn condemnation from two civil society organisations, which have demanded a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
The National Coalition Against Mass Killings, Extra-Judicial Killings, Mob Actions and Impunity (NCAMKI), in collaboration with the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG), said the circumstances surrounding Oyeyemi’s death raised serious concerns about the growing culture of impunity, political violence and disregard for the rule of law.
In a statement, the groups warned that no individual or group had the right to assume the roles of investigator, judge and executioner, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the killing.
They called on the police and other security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation, stressing that those who planned, financed, ordered, facilitated or carried out the killing should be identified and prosecuted, irrespective of their political connections or social standing.
The organisations also urged investigators to go beyond the immediate perpetrators and establish the wider circumstances behind the killing.
They, however, warned against retaliatory attacks, urging individuals and groups who may feel aggrieved by the killing to resist the temptation to resort to violence.
According to them, responding to one act of violence with another would only deepen the cycle of killings and create more victims.
“Murder cannot be answered with murder, and street justice can only produce more victims,” they warned.
The groups also condemned the alleged use of political thugs and enforcers, insisting that political influence must never be allowed to provide immunity from prosecution.
GAFAMORG recalled the legacy of its namesake, the late human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, saying his lifelong struggle was anchored on the principle that the rule of law must govern the exercise of power and that justice must protect the voiceless and defenceless.
NCAMKI and GAFAMORG said they would continue to monitor developments surrounding the killing and engage relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that justice was served.
They urged the authorities to act swiftly, warning that failure to bring those responsible to justice could further undermine public confidence in the law.
The organisations declared: “The killing will not stop until the law stops the killing,” while reiterating their opposition to political killings, extra-judicial killings, street justice and impunity.
