Drama ensued on 2nd January during an annual general prayer of Mahdiyyat Muslim Congregation when the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Hon Kabiru Ogungbo, and his wife assaulted Barr. Yakubu Eleto.
According to an eyewitness, political thugs who accompanied Hon. Ogungbo to the event pounced on the legal practitioner following an argument between him and their boss.
Adding salt to the injury, the wife of the Governor’s aide, Mrs. Anota Kabiru Ogungbo, also came from women’s sections of the mosque to assault the lawyer by slapping him.
The police officers attached to the Igbeba Area Command who were invited to the scene allegedly took the side of the Ogungbos, thereby arresting the assault victim and detaining him in custody.
However, the spiritual head and most members of the Mahdiyyat Muslim Congregation condemned the action.
Another witness and organisation member who pleaded anonymity said, “It is disheartening that someone like Hon Kabiru Ogungbo, a respected member of the Mahdiyyat Muslim congregation, should be involved in this type of rancour, especially within the mosque’s vicinity.
“What happened was that Barrister Yakubu Eleto, the Chairman of the Ajodun Planning Committee, was trying to access the Chief Imam while Hon. Ogungbo insisted that he should not pass through his front. That was the point where the arguments started between them. Then, the police officer attached to the Special Adviser poured water on the face of Bar. Eleto.
“This unwarranted action attracted everybody’s attention towards them. The matter was later compounded when the Hon. Ogungbo’s wife stormed the scene and rained slaps on the Barrister. This unjustifiable action and misuse of the public position was grossly condemned by all of us who witnessed the drama,” the eyewitness said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of Ogun State Command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said he had yet to be briefed. However, he promised to investigate the case thoroughly whenever it came to his attention.