The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun state has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate Francis Fadahunsi, senator representing Osun East, over alleged acts of intimidation and harassment.
In the petition, the PDP, alongside Sunday Bisi, the state chairman, and Mustapha Sikiru, the party’s director of administration, accused Fadahunsi of threatening them for dragging him to court over his defection from the party.
The petition, dated September 5 and signed by Raphael Oyewole, counsel to the petitioners, was received by the police on September 8.
It was titled: “Petition against Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi for Criminal Intimidation, Harassment and Threat to Life of Mustapha Sikiru and Sunday Bisi, Chairman of PDP in Osun State; A Call for Urgent Intervention to Prevent Loss of Lives and Breach of Peace.”
Oyewole said the PDP had filed five separate suits at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the defection of five federal lawmakers elected on its platform.
“Among the defendants in the said suits is senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, the suspect in this petition,” the lawyer said.
He alleged that rather than allow the legal process to run its course, the lawmaker resorted to intimidation, harassment and threats.
Oyewole claimed Fadahunsi placed a phone call to one of the party officials and issued threats in Yoruba, which were later translated to English in the petition.
“The senator’s statements were laced with insults, intimidation and a clear threat of grievous harm, simply because your petitioners carried out their lawful duty of filing and deposing to court processes in a constitutional suit involving his unlawful defection from the PDP,” the petition reads.
Citing section 86 of the Criminal Code Act, Oyewole said it is a criminal offence to threaten another with injury to person, reputation, or property with intent to cause alarm or compel that person to refrain from doing any lawful act.
He urged the police and DSS to act swiftly to forestall any harm to his clients and their families.
Five lawmakers from Osun recently defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). They include Olubiyi Fadeyi, senator representing Osun central, Omirin Olusanya, Taofeek Ajilesoro, Oluwole Oke and Fadahunsi.