BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI
Members of the Association of Aguyi-Ironsi Auto Traders, at the popular Ladipo Market, Mushin area of Lagos State, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of their President, Mr. Jonathan Okoli, who is currently being remanded at Ikoyi Prison over what they called “frame-up charges.”

The traders, mainly of Igbo extraction, had earlier raised alarm over arrest and continued detention of Okoli about two weeks ago by the State Security Service, SSS, police before his subsequent summary trial and detention in Prison at the weekend.

The group however, called on Governor Babatunde Fashola of the state and Inspector General of Police, I.G, to order immediate independent investigation into various allegations and charges leveled against its leader in the interest of justice, peace as well as avert possible unwarranted loss of lives and property in the area.

Mr. Ifeanyi Chukwulobe, Principal Staff Officer, Legal to the detained president, raised these issues at the weekend while addressing members of the media and other members of the association on the premises at Papa Ajao, Mushin.

According to Chukwulobe, in a paper titled: “We will not succumb to this intimidation and attempt to colonise our market”, accused the management of Mushin Local Government in connivance with a Commissioner of Police, (names withheld), an indigene of Lagos, attached to force headquarters Abuja, of orchestrating the persecution against their leaders in order ti take control of the market.

“The latest in this ongoing nefarious plot is the frame up of our president with false, unfounded and frivolous criminal charges ranging from attempted murder, through unlawful display firearms to conduct likely to beach public peace among others.

“He was arraigned last Friday before the Ebute-Metta Magistrate Court on false charges after being held in unlawful custody for 11 days at the Lagos State criminal investigation department, CID, Panti and subsequently remanded at Ikoyi Prison.”

The aggrieved traders who expressed their unflinching support to their leaders and defending their rights, called on Inspector General of Police to order the immediate withdrawal of the false charges leveled against their president by officers at Panti and his immediate and unconditional release from imprisonment.

“We also called on the IGP and Governor Babatunde Fashola to order a full and impartial investigation into the whole attempt by Mushin LG and the woman Commissioner of Police, in Provost Marshal’s Office, Abuja to use violence and intimidation to seize control of the market,” they said.

The group added: “It will serve the interest of peace and justice if the IGP intervenes urgently and prevent further provocation and attacks on our members as we cannot guarantee that we will not be forced to fight back if it becomes unbearable and if appropriate authorities fail to take necessary actions to ensure justice.”