Coroner summons DSS, hotel manager, others over alleged killing of Osun police officer

A coroner inquest set up by Osun State government, to probe the alleged killing of a police corporal, Rauf Fawale, by an operative of the Department of State Security (DSS), David Olowoporoku and two others in January 2021 has summoned the Director, DSS, Osogbo to appear before it.
   
Also summoned are the manager of Riverside club, where late Fawale was allegedly beaten to death, Managing Director (MD) of Morning Star Hospital, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, MD of Anu Olu Private Hospital, Ilobu, MD of Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, MD of Esho Spine and Brain Hospital, Oke-Fia.
   
The coroner, which started sitting in Osogbo on Wednesday and headed by Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara, further extended summons to Investigative Police Officer (IPO) in the case, a Police officer, Modinat Badmus, who allegedly hosted a party at the club, the Divisional Police Officer of Dada Estate, one Adisa Badmus, David Olowoporoku and two others.

 At the commencement of the sitting, a police officer from the Osun State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), John Idoko appeared for the state Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, while the Special Adviser to Governor Oyetola on Security and former Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs. Abiodun Ige, lawyers from the Legal Aid, Directorate of Public Prosecution of the state Ministry of Justice, and National Human Rights Commission were present at the first sitting.
  
Mrs. Julie Olorunfemi appeared for the Legal Aid, Abayomi Ogundele appeared for the NHRC as observer, while Fola Akinrujomu represented the DPP.
   
The Chief Magistrate said the coroner inquest was constituted to find the cause of the death of one Rauf Fawale. He urged all parties not to waste time as the panel has limited time to conclude investigations. He adjourned sitting till Wednesday.
  
Akinrujomu said the case file was sent to the DPP for its legal advice, adding that the original and duplicate case file should be returned to the department “so that we will know what to do from there.”
  
Counsel to the Legal Aid, Olorunfemi, said the family of the deceased, who were also present at the sitting, have been crying for justice since the incident happened, adding that she notified the state governor about it before the coroner was ordered.
    
Fawale, 35, was said to have attended a birthday party hosted by his colleague on January 21, 2021 when a fight broke out. The party was held at Riverside, a club in Osogbo by another police officer identified as Inspector Modinat Badmus.
 
It was gathered that there was a fight between three DSS officials, who were also attending the party, and some guests. Fawale was said to have intervened before he was beaten mercilessly and brutalised. The officer, attached to the Dada Estate Police Division in Osogbo, later died after at the hospital.