An Abuja Magistrate Court has directed the Nigeria Police Force to investigate a direct criminal complaint filed against Senator Francis Fadahunsi over controversial remarks attributed to him in a viral campaign video ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The directive was issued by Magistrate Farida Ibrahim of Magistrate Court 7, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, following a direct criminal complaint filed by lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi against Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
In a letter dated August 13, 2026, the court directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja, to investigate the allegations contained in the complaint and report its findings within two weeks.
The complaint was brought pursuant to Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Under the provision relied upon by the complainant, a private complaint made directly to the court is to be referred to the police for investigation before further action is taken by the court.
The letter, titled “Direct Criminal Complaint Between Pelumi Olajengbesi and Senator Francis Fadahunsi Brought Pursuant to Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015,” was signed by Abdulraham Yusuf, Registrar of the Magistrate Court.
“I am directed by the presiding Magistrate II, His Worship Hon. Farida Ibrahim, sitting at Magistrate Court Wuse Zone 6, FCT Abuja, to write to your office to investigate the above mentioned case and report back within two weeks,” the letter stated.
A copy of the criminal complaint was also forwarded to the police for examination and “necessary action.”
Olajengbesi instituted the complaint in his capacity as a private citizen. He is also a lawyer and spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Organisation, which is campaigning for the re-election of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The court’s directive comes two days before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, where Fadahunsi’s All Progressives Congress is challenging the Accord Party, whose candidate is incumbent Governor Adeleke, alongside candidates of 13 other political parties.
The controversy arose from a viral video recorded during an APC campaign gathering in Ilesa in which Fadahunsi, speaking in Yoruba, was alleged to have told supporters to “kill” Accord Party members whenever they encountered them.
In the footage, the senator was reported as saying: “It is animal that kills. Have you ever heard that APC killed anyone? Are those being killed not your people?
“So, we have come to tell you, up till the day of the election, if we see them, it is killing.”
The remarks attracted widespread condemnation and raised concerns over their possible implications for political supporters, voters and public safety ahead of the election.
Fadahunsi has, however, denied calling for the physical killing of Accord Party members.
The senator has maintained that his comments were political and metaphorical, arguing that he was urging APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party decisively through their votes.
During a television interview, Fadahunsi also disputed the interpretation placed on his Yoruba-language remarks.
“If you listen to me very well, I didn’t say it in English, so you cannot interpret it in English,” he said, explaining that what he meant was that supporters should “shut them down with their votes.”
He further linked the remarks to alleged previous attacks and killings involving members of his community and political party, saying complaints had earlier been made to the police.
The magistrate’s directive does not amount to a determination of Fadahunsi’s guilt or otherwise. It requires the police to investigate the allegations contained in Olajengbesi’s direct criminal complaint and submit its findings to the court within two weeks.
