On Monday, officers attached to the Ogun State police command arrested Wale Adedayo, the impeached chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area in the state.

Kafayat Adedayo, the former council chairman’s wife, confirmed the development to pressmen saying the officers took her husband to their headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

She added that the arresting officers told her they were acting on a petition filed by the state government against her husband.

READ ALSO: Delta FRSC Officials Assault Resident for Filming Them During Clash With Tricycle Driver

“They came on Monday afternoon in a Mitsubishi car to effect his arrest. About four of them were in uniform, while others were in mufti,” said Kafayat.

“The police operatives said they were acting on instructions based on a petition filed against him by the state government. He was taken to Abeokuta by the police.”

Here is a timeline of events reflecting the run-ins Adedayo had with Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State governor, before Monday’s arrest.

AUGUST 28, 2023 — ADEDAYO ACCUSES ABIODUN OF DIVERTING FUNDS

In a letter dated August 28, 2023, Adedayo had appealed to Olusegun Osoba, a former Ogun State Governor, to intervene and ensure that Abiodun released allocations to local councils in the state, and as mandated by the 1999 Constitution.

Adedayo also wrote similar petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), urging the bodies to convince Abiodun to allow local government allocations reach the appropriate quarters.

READ MORE: LGA Chairman Who Accused Gov Abiodun of Diverting Funds Regains Freedom From DSS Detention

During the period, Adedayo accused the governor of withholding federal allocations that were due to the local councils in the state for over two years.

The move did not go down well with the governor who vowed that the former council chairman would not go unpunished for disparaging him with false allegations. A day later, other local government leaders went to appeal and pledge allegiance to Abiodun

AUGUST 29, 2023 — COUNCIL CHAIRMEN PROSTRATE, BEG ABIODUN

Abiodun subsequently denied the allegations levelled against him.

In an August 29 statement signed by Lekan Adeniran, his chief press secretary, the governor said Adedayo’s allegations were false.

On the same day, local government chairmen in the state under the aegis of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigerian (ALGON) visited the governor at his office to plead on Adedayo’s behalf.

Babatunde Emilola-Gazal, ALGON chairman in the state, led the delegation to Abiodun’s office.

“Your Excellency, we have come here to beg you as a father that you are, as a father of all in the state, we want you to forgive us,” Emilola-Gazal said.

“Your Excellency, if you don’t forgive us, who do we run to? So, on behalf of all of us, I am tendering this apology and in particular, on behalf of Wale Adedayo,” Emilola-Gazal said, prostrating alongside others before the governor.

During the appeal, the chairmen prostrated to the governor.

SEPTEMBER 1-4, 2023 — DSS DETAINS ADEDAYO

On September 1, the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Adedayo. Hours after the DSS took Adedayo to its office, Abiodun visited the agency the same day.

According to reports, the DSS did not interrogate Adedayo on that day, but kept him with them for long.

READ ALSO: ‘They Broke Into My Hostel With Guns’ — Zamfara University’s Kidnap Survivor Recounts Terrifying Ordeal

Adedayo’s arrest generated attention, with many condemning the move.

Three days later, the DSS released the former LG chairman.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 — COUNCILLORS IMPEACH ADEDAYO

On September 14, councillors in Ogun East resolved to impeach Adedayo over allegations of misappropriation.

In a letter signed by Fasheyi Akindele, leader of the house, Ijebu East LGA, the house stated that the decision was made after a majority voted that Adedayo be impeached.

According to reports, Adedayo was accused of issuing illegal levies and stickers to commercial transport workers, and embarking on projects without the state government’s approval.

Despite denying the allegations, Adedayo’s impeachment stood. All seemed quiet until the police re-arrested him on Monday.

COURT ARRAIGNMENT

Adedayo was arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: Lawmaker Damilare Bello Arrested Over Sagamu Cult Clash Was in DSS Custody in March

While in court, he was charged on two counts bordering on “unlawful publication and false allegation of fund diversion by Governor Dapo Abiodun”.

In her ruling, Justice A.K. Araba, the presiding judge, granted the Adedayo bail to the tune of N2 million. To further meet the bail condition, Adedayo is also required to produce two “responsible and reliable sureties” who reside within the court’s jurisdiction. The sureties must also possess landed property with tax clearance.

The case was adjourned till October 20 for further hearing.