PDP chieftains beg Ooni of Ife to help arrested Iyiola Omisore

Some prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Osun state visited the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) in his palace on Wednesday, July 6, 2016, to plead with him to forgive Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Omisore, who was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over allegations of N700m fraud, was arrested by the anti-graft agency on Sunday, July 3, 2016, in Abuja.

The serving Senator and former deputy Governor of Osun state had denied having any hand in the alleged arms purchase scandal involving the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

Reports say Omisore snubbed the Ooni and refused to pay homage to the revered monarch since his coronation seven months ago.

The Ooni said he was not offended by the actions of the deputy Governor, adding that  “Omisore is a prominent Ife son. I don’t have any grudges against him whatsoever over his refusal to visit my palace since I became the Ooni. You all must know that he is entitled to his right of choice on whom and where to visit at anytime.

“Don’t also forget he is undergoing a procedural investigation and laws of the land must be respected. But I promise to assist you on this matter within my limited capability legally guided.

“I heartily pray God should quickly set him free if he has no skeleton in his cupboard.”

While pleading with Ooni, the Osun PDP chairman, Adesoji Adagunodo, said “Your Imperial Majesty, we are here to pay our homage to you as the father of our race who must be respected by all true sons and daughters of Yoruba race.

“We also beg you in the name of Oduduwa to use your goodwill in assisting us to rescue one of our leaders, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, from the EFCC detention, even though we are not unaware of his attitude towards this sacred palace as he has refused to pay homage since you were divinely crowned seven months ago.

“We can assure you of his change of attitude as soon as he is released from detention.”

Iyiola Omisore was accused of masterminding the death of the late minister of justice, Bola Ige.