By our Reporter
Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State Acting Governor and Deputy Governor, has frowned against criminality in every form of it, as he warned the public particularly, Motorcyclists popularly known as “Okada Riders” to desist from the act of jungle justice or taken laws into their hands.
He gave this warning in a stakeholders meeting he and other top government officials held with Okada Riders and Keke Napep Riders at the premises of Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS), Alagbaka Akure on Tuesday.
The Acting Governor expressed shock and disbelief on the recent mob attack that led to the stoning to death of 35-year old Tope Olorunfemi at Ijoka Akure few days ago.
Tope according to eyewitness, riding in a Toyota car reportedly ran into a motorcyclist and his passenger, resulting into some fatalities.
“As government does not condone criminality in whatever guise, it also does not subscribe to people taking laws into their hands”, declared Aiyedatiwa.
He said, accident do happen and most times, innocent users and passengers fell victims, but tagging such as internet fraudster or ritualistic was not the way to go.
“As a government which frowns against criminality in every form of it, we condemn killing a suspect who commit a crime, as doing it will lead you to facing the consequences of your actions under the law which might lead you to being jailed” , he warned.
He further said that, “any suspect caught in the acts that is against the law should be handed over to the law enforcement agencies around” .
The Acting Governor urged Ondo State citizens to have trust in the rule of law as government will not condone any form of mob action and hooliganism in the administration of justice in the State.
“Do not be the cause of the suspension of your rights by yourself”, he further warned.
Speaking further, Aiyedatiwa said, “yes the deed has been done, but the only favour we can do to the memory of the dead is to ensure that justice is served appropriately in order to serve as deterrence for others, and everyone involved in that shameful and criminal act must be identified and brought to justice”.
Other speakers at the event enjoined Okada Riders on self improvement that would add value to their conducts and way of life as government see them as responsible and realiable citizens.
They equally charged them to engage their time on things that would add good value to their existence as others will always build on the good foundation they built for themselves.
Responding on behalf of Okada Riders, their coordinators agreed that the message given them at the event calls for self consciousness at every point in time, as they promised an improvement in their conducts and way of life.