By Kayode Adeoti
The Chairman of the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, for the second time refused
to appear before court in a case of alleged criminal assault leveled
against him by one Salman Tunde Salau of Orisankoko compound, Ilorin.
Recall that the APC has been rocked by series of crises since it
ceased power in Kwara State, a development which has placed Bolarinwa
in the eye of the storm, being the party chairman.
The crisis brewing in the party got messier following allegation that
the party boss alongside his accomplices; simply identified as Banana
and Kehinde Otunba, beat the complainant to stupor recently.
However, BOB as the party chairman is fondly called has contimued to
shun invitation by the court over the matter, which is before
Magistrate U. Z. Jubril.
Thethe APC chairman reportedly failed to put up appearance when the
case first came up on 30th September, 2019, just as he was not in
court on 14th October, 2019, the second time the matter was heard.
The court has again adjourned the suit to 28th October, 2019.
It was learnt that all the efforts by the complainant to settle the
case out of court were rebuffed as Bolarinwa allegedly turned down the
offers.
According to the direct complaint filed by the complainant through his
counsel, Ridwan Musa, Bolarinwa with his cohorts, allegedly committed
criminal cot5tcy, criminal assault and inflicted grievious harm
contrary to sections 97 and 241 of penal code.
The complainant stated that on 11th May, 2019, he was at the APC
secretariat in the company of his friend, AbdulGaniyu Eletu when he
met the 2nd and 3rd defendants physically assaulting someone.
In the process of trying to settle what was believed to be fight, he
drew the ire of 2nd and 3rd defendants who descended on him, Salau
alleged.
Salau further divulged through his counsel that he was dragged to the
premises of the secretariat where the 1st defendant ordered him to
kneel down while the 2nd and 3rd defendants continued beating him till
his two front teeth removed.
It was also noted that the complainant was beaten with iron which
caused permanent damage on various parts of his body as later shown
through medical examination report.
The direct complaint added that the complainant that his assailants
were acting on directive of the party chairman after the ambulance
hired to convey him to the hospital was asked to return.
After ordering the return of the ambulance, Bolarinwa was said to have
drove out of the party complex realising that he has mistaken the
complainant for another person.
