By GODWIN TSA & JAMES OJO Abuja
Sunday, February 4, 2007

President of the NBA, Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) made the call weekend in Abuja at a press conference organised by the association.

The NBA position coincided with a similar concern expressed by a member of the House of Representatives, Professor Sola Adeyeye, who also demanded the immediate prosecution of Adedibu to guarrantee that the April election would not be rigged to favour the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The alleged dicovery of the voters registration machines in Adedibu’s house had triggered a public outrage as prominent groups and individuals want the old man arrest and prosecuted.
But since the incident, the police and INEC have been accusing each other of lacking the liver to bring the strong man of Ibadan politics to book.

Last week, Oyo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Jonathan Johnson had claimed that his men could not arrest Adedibu because INEC was preventing the police from prosecuting the suspects in the case.
He alleged that the electoral body did not include Adedibu’s name among the six suspects.
But INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Isyaku Maigoro said it was not the responsibility of the Commission to arrest any suspect, adding that it was the security agents’.
However, while the buck passing and footdraging continues, Agbakoba said there was no reason why Adedibu should not be in police cell by now.

Describing the act as criminal, the NBA boss lamented:
"I wonder what the police is doing. The chairman of the Economic Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is always speaking forcefully about corruption. Now that this issue has come up, every body is footdraging."

Agbakoba, however noted, that his association was legally hamstrung to arrest or initiate criminal proceedings against Adedibu, adding that not having coercive powers, it can only speak out.”
The NBA which expressed concerned over the credibility of the on-going electoral process disclosed that it has volunteered 20,000 lawyers for election duties as part of its contribution to ensure free and fair polls.
Adeyeye’s call came barely twenty four hours after Ribadu took Alhaji Adedibu and Alao-Akala to the cleaners at a public function in Ibadan.

But the professor from Osun Stateinsisted that refusal to prosecute Adedibu was a danger signal of what to come during the general elections. Therefore, he socilited the support of the media, civil society groups and the NBA to monitor elections, particularly in Okuku, the home town of Osun state Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Professor Adeyeye regretted that intead of arresting Adedibu and charge him to court, the police and INEC were trading blames.

“Which democracy are we talking about? Adedibu’s son is a candidate for the Senate under PDP and voters registration is taking place in his father's house. What will be the outcome of such election? This is why the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney- General of the Federation, Oyo state governor and his State Attorney -General should not waste time to pick this man and charge him to court," he argued.
Only by so doing, he continued, would Nigerians and the world take seriously the pledge by President Obasanjo that the April general elections would be free and fair.
To allow one man like Adedibu to point a finger at the law, he said, questions the independence of INEC.