Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti state governor, has ordered the withdrawal of a murder case against the state Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Chief Jide Awe, and other members of the party.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Idowu Adelusi, spokesman to the Ekiti governor.
The APC chairman and four other members of the APC members, namely Faboro John, Aniramu Basiru, Falayi Busuyi and Owonifari Sefiu were declared wanted by the police for their alleged involvement in the murder of two persons in Erinjiyan-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on March 31, 2013.
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Those allegedly killed are Ayo Jeje, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and Juliana Adewumi, mother of the Deputy Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly.
Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kolapo Kolade, on Wednesday filed an application for the withdrawal of the case against Awe before Justice Bamidele Omotosho at High Court 7, Ado Ekiti.
Kolade said Governor Fayose was withdrawing the case for the sake of peace posterity and welfare of the people of Erinjiyan Ekiti, which is the community where both the complainant and the defendants in the matter hail from.
The community was said to have been divided since the commencement of the case in 2013.
“What happened in court today is far beyond politics,” Kolade told newsmen.
“The Governor in his usual characteristic manner of promoting peace and brotherliness in all communities in Ekiti and across party lines has intervened.
“In this matter, so many good people across Nigeria, even the defendants in this matter, have appealed to His Excellency to intervene in this matter, particularly in Erijinran, more so as the defendants and complainant are of same family.
“The complainants have given the court the go ahead and said the matter should be withdrawn.
“This development equally supports the cause of justice. One of the cardinal principles of justice is promotion of peace.
“The major beneficiary is Chief Jide Awe, the APC chairman in Ekiti State.
“He, alongside his aide and other party members were alleged to have murdered late Madam Juliana Adewunmi, mother of the Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State, and Murphy Jeje, a member of the PDP, in 2013.
“The complainant is the Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.”