Two chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ekiti State have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate's Court in Ado-Ekiti over an alleged violent dispute concerning the party's state chairmanship position. The defendants, Dr. Bamidele Ekundayo, aged 73, and Ilesanmi Omolayo, aged 45, appeared in court alongside unnamed co-accused persons who remain at large.
Prosecution Details the Alleged Offence
Prosecuting counsel ASP Akinwale Oriyomi informed the court that on or before October 2, 2026, within the Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District, the two men and others unlawfully threatened public peace by engaging in a fight over the ADC state chairmanship. The prosecutor stated that the offence is punishable under Sections 181(1)(d), 69, and 421 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State.
Defence counsel Barrister Oluwasola Fapohunda urged the court to grant his clients bail, assuring Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun that neither man would abscond. The magistrate granted bail to both defendants at N100,000 each, with one surety required per defendant in the same amount.
Bail Granted and Hearing Adjourned
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun set the bail conditions and adjourned the matter to October 30, 2026, for substantive hearing. The court's decision came after the defence counsel's assurance that the defendants would comply with all bail conditions.
The ADC has been at the centre of political activity in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections. Peter Obi, who resigned from the party on May 2, 2026, was subsequently ratified as the presidential candidate of the NDC on May 29, 2026, leaving the ADC to manage internal affairs in various states, including Ekiti.
Related Court Action on ADC Leadership
In a related development, a Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned a suit challenging the David Mark-led ADC leadership after the presiding judge did not sit. The case was filed by ADC member Nafiu-Bala Gombe, who is seeking to stop Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and others from acting as party leaders.
Justice Peter Lifu had earlier fined the ADC and Aregbesola N1m each after dismissing their bid to remove him from the case. The adjournment and fines come amid ongoing internal disputes within the party as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
