2027: CID Appearance Stalled as Police Await Court Order — Oloke to Respond August 12

By Iyojo Ameh

The ongoing legal tussle between Elder Leke Abejide, member representing Yagba Federal Constituency, and his former campaign aide, Elder Oloke Jesse Abayomi, took a procedural twist on Wednesday as the scheduled appearance before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Lokoja was stalled due to the absence of the court’s enrolment order.

According to sources present at the CID office, the police declined to proceed with the matter, citing the non-receipt of the court’s enrolment order as the reason for their inaction.

“Our lawyer eventually obtained the court order, and a copy of the petition filed by Hon. Abejide’s counsel, Barrister Yemi Muhammed, was served on Elder Oloke,” a source close to Oloke said.

The petition, which forms the basis of the criminal allegations of defamation and threat to life, was handed over to Oloke for study. He is now expected to return to the CID on August 12 to formally respond to the allegations.

Among the issues raised in the petition is Oloke’s reference to Senator Dino Melaye, in which he alleged that Hon. Abejide’s 2023 governorship ambition was a strategic collaboration with the then Governor Yahaya Bello aimed at derailing Dino’s chances of winning the election. Oloke is also facing trial for comparing Abejide’s current third-term bid to that of the late Hon. Jimoh Omiata, who won a second term into the Kogi State House of Assembly from Yagba East but tragically died before completing it. The comparison, along with certain biblical references used in the same context, reportedly formed the basis of Abejide’s claim of a threat to his life.

Meanwhile, the court had earlier adjourned the case to August 13, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

Oloke’s arrest and arraignment earlier in July had generated widespread public outcry, especially among Mopamuro constituents, who view the lawmaker’s third-term bid as a violation of the existing power rotation agreement and his earlier promise to serve only two terms.

Observers continue to question Abejide’s increasing use of legal and security channels to clamp down on former allies who voice opposition to his 2027 ambition.

As of press time, no official statement has been released by the lawmaker or his legal team regarding the latest development.