Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The family of a slain All Progressives Congress (APC) supporter in Osun State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to ensure that a prime suspect arrested inside the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) is prosecuted and prevented from evading justice once again. The appeal follows the recent arrest of Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as "Abbey Asipa" or "Ashipa," a long-wanted murder suspect who was found at the residence of SSG Teslim Igbalaye during a police raid in Osogbo on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
The family of the late Sheriff Oyewale, in a statement signed by Mrs. Oyewale Fasilat on behalf of the Oyewale family of Odeomu, Osun State, expressed concern that Arowomole, who had allegedly been on the run for years, could still escape justice due to the influence of powerful individuals. According to the family, Sheriff Oyewale, who resided in Warri, Delta State, travelled to Osogbo in November 2022 when he was allegedly attacked and killed because of his political affiliation with the Osun State chapter of the APC.
The family alleged that the attack took place in broad daylight at the Orita Aiyetoro Junction in Osogbo. They stated that Oyewale was targeted and hacked to death while visiting the city. "Our son Sheriff Oyewale, who lived in Warri, Delta State, was on a visit to Osogbo when he was targeted and hacked to death in broad daylight at the Orita Aiyetoro Junction in Osogbo in November 2022," the family recounted. They further alleged that after carrying out the attack, the perpetrators took away the victim's body, leaving the family without the opportunity to give him a proper burial. "To this day, the family has been unable to recover or properly bury his remains, which are alleged to have been secretly buried along the Osogbo-Iwo Road," the statement read.
The family identified three individuals as the principal suspects in the murder, naming them as Lekan Ajagungbade, also known as Emir; Nurudeen Alowonle; and Biodun Arowomole, also known as Abbey Asipa. According to the family, while Alowonle and Ajagungbade were initially arrested by security agencies, both later jumped bail and fled. Arowomole remained at large for years and was officially declared wanted by the police before his recent arrest inside the Osun State Government official's residence. "Abbey Asipa remained on the run and was officially declared wanted by the police until his recent, shocking arrest inside the Osun State SSG's property," the family stated.
The family said the arrest had revived hopes that justice would finally be served but expressed fears that political influence could undermine the judicial process. "With this breakthrough arrest, the Oyewale family fears that the Osun State Government's influence may be used to subvert justice, obstruct the investigation, or allow the suspect to escape custody," they stated. The family called on President Tinubu and the police leadership to closely monitor the case and ensure that it is handled transparently. "We are demanding a transparent prosecution, a thorough investigation into those who harboured the fugitive, and help in locating Sheriff's body," the statement said. The family also maintained that public office holders should not be allowed to shield persons accused of serious criminal offences.
The arrest of Arowomole came during a police raid on the residence of SSG Teslim Igbalaye in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo on Wednesday. According to the Osun State Police Command, officers recovered N4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards, and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15 during the operation. The police said the raid followed intelligence reports and formed part of ongoing efforts to curb electoral offences ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Those arrested alongside the SSG were Abiodun Arowomole, described as a wanted murder suspect on the command's watch list, Taiwo Akande, Lukman Adeyemo, Muftau Olaoye, and Musiliu Aderemi. The police said investigations are focusing on allegations of vote-buying, criminal conspiracy, and harbouring a wanted suspect. The SSG was later released on Thursday afternoon, but the police said investigations into the matter were ongoing.
The arrest has sparked a political firestorm in Osun State, with the state government condemning the police operation as illegal and a threat to free and fair elections. The Imole Campaign Council for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke accused the police of political partisanship and called on the Commissioner of Police to resign. However, the family of Sheriff Oyewale has viewed the arrest as a crucial breakthrough in their four-year quest for justice and is now looking to the highest authorities to ensure that Arowomole is held accountable for his alleged role in the killing.
The family's appeal to President Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police underscores the deep mistrust of the judicial process that often accompanies high-profile cases involving politically connected individuals. With the suspect having been found in the residence of a top government official, the family's fears that influence could be used to subvert justice are not unfounded. As the 2027 elections approach, the case of Sheriff Oyewale has become a test of whether Nigeria's justice system can deliver accountability, even when the accused are linked to powerful figures. For the Oyewale family, the hope is that this time, justice will not be denied.
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