Sowore releases video of alleged attackers, alleges erased CCTV footage in Ekiti

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has released a video purportedly showing individuals he identified as participants in the attack on his team in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, last Friday.

In a post announcing the development on X, the Sahara Reporters publisher described the video as a breakthrough in identifying those involved in the attack. He, however, called for an independent investigation to establish the identities and roles of the individuals shown.

The video appears to show some men wielding cutlasses and sticks during a confrontation, while another person dressed in a black suit is seen being dragged. Several bystanders are also visible watching the incident.

Mr Sowore also alleged that CCTV recordings from Tawakalitu Restaurant, where the incident occurred on 30 October, had been erased after police officers and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), allegedly took possession of the surveillance equipment.

“The breakthrough comes amid disturbing revelations that CCTV recordings from Tawakalitu Restaurant, where the attack occurred, have reportedly been completely erased after police officers and the DSS took possession of the equipment and took it to Government House only to return it this evening without any images,” he alleged in an X post.

He further sstated that the CCTV equipment was subsequently returned to the restaurant management without the recorded footage.

“Tawakalitu Restaurant management reportedly confirmed that a DPO returned the CCTV equipment, but the recordings had been completely wiped. The management refused to identify the officer responsible for returning the equipment. This is an indication of a coordinated cover-up by the police hierarchy in Ekiti State,” he said.

The latest allegations came three days after Mr Sowore accused suspected political thugs of attacking him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti. The Ekiti State Police Command had disputed his account, describing the incident as an “altercation” with some individuals at a restaurant.

In an earlier statement, the police command said officers rescued Mr Sowore after receiving information about the incident and that he sustained minor injuries. The command also said the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, had ordered a discreet investigation to establish what happened and identify those responsible.

Mr Sowore said he contacted Mr Falade, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ado-Ekiti Central Police Station, Mustapha Mohammed, and the Rapid Response Squad commander to request an update on the investigation.

He claimed the officers told him there was no complainant because he had not submitted a written statement.

Mr Sowore questioned this explanation, arguing that the police had already intervened in the incident.

“The officers claimed there was “no complainant” because I had not submitted a written statement, despite police rescuing the victims, taking them to their hospital, arresting suspects, and recovering weapons, stolen phones, and other devices,” he said.

Mr Sowore called on the police and the SSS to release the CCTV footage from the restaurant, saying it could help establish what happened during the incident.

He also demanded the removal of the state Commissioner of Police and other officers he accused of mishandling the investigation.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted the Ekiti State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sunday Abutu, by phone to seek his response to the allegations. However, he asked the reporter to call back in the afternoon.

“I will get back to you, please,” he said. “Call me around 12:00 p.m.”