Lawyer Inibehe Effiong has demanded the immediate arrest of Wale Ajetunmobi, an aide to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, following Ajetunmobi’s controversial revelation about extrajudicial killings during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Ajetunmobi, in a now-deleted tweet, disclosed that individuals involved in the attack on TVC, a television station owned by President Bola Tinubu, were executed without trial, according to Peoples Gazette.
The tweet quickly went viral, prompting Governor Sanwo-Olu to suspend Ajetunmobi. However, Effiong has called for further action beyond the suspension, urging law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly.
In a post on social media, Effiong stated, “Suspending Wale Ajetunmobi as your aide does not address the alarming confession of extrajudicial killings made by him.” He emphasized that the matter requires a full investigation and demanded Ajetunmobi’s immediate detention.
Effiong specifically highlighted Ajetunmobi’s confession that those responsible for burning the TVC station were “trailed and assassinated,” adding that the public deserves answers regarding the alleged killings. He further asserted that the government or any individuals sympathetic to political authorities should not assume the role of executioners. According to Effiong, the judiciary is the only body constitutionally authorized to determine guilt in any criminal case.
In the wake of his suspension, Ajetunmobi attempted to clarify his statement. He claimed that his tweet had been misinterpreted and that the term “executed” was used incorrectly. Ajetunmobi asserted, “No extrajudicial killing was insinuated,” explaining that his comment was part of a casual conversation and not meant to reflect any official position. He also emphasized that the post, along with other related comments, had been deleted prior to the publication of his statement.
“Dear Governor @jidesanwoolu, Suspending Wale Ajetunmobi as your aide does not address the alarming confession of extrajudicial killings made by him,” said the lawyer on X. “This matter has to be investigated thoroughly by law enforcement agencies.”
Mr Effiong added, “He should be taken into custody immediately. Wale confessed in clear terms that those who burnt TVC News station at CMD Road, Ikosi, Lagos were trailed and assassinated.
“Now that the suspended aide of the Lagos state governor has confessed that the suspects were murdered, the public deserves answers.
“We cannot tolerate a situation where the government or those sympathetic to the government or the political class will act as executioners. The judiciary is the sole constitutional authority empowered to determine the guilt of anyone accused of a crime.”
Shortly after his suspension, Mr Ajetunmobi said his controversial tweet was misinterpreted.
“My only and final response to this misrepresentation. Like I did further explain under the said tweet, no extrajudicial killing was insinuated. The word ‘executed’ was erroneously used and not intended in the context of that casual conversation,” Mr Ajetunmobi claimed.
Mr Sanwo-Olu’s aide added, “What was written in the entire conversation reflected personal opinion, and not the position of any authority or the entity in which I work. The post and other comments had been taken down, even before this publication.”
