A legal practitioner (identity withheld) has been apprehended by security operatives in connection with the publication of a defamatory article targeting Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG).

The lawyer’s arrest took place on Friday in Alagbado, Ogun State, following a formal complaint lodged against him by legal representatives of the SSG. The complaint alleges offenses including “Criminal Threat To Life, Malicious Falsehood, Criminal Defamation And Misuse Of Police Connection.”

Security personnel had been pursuing the lawyer for some time, as he had reportedly been avoiding apprehension. He is currently being held in the custody of the Force CID Alagbon, Lagos.

The operator of an online platform, who was allegedly responsible for disseminating the false story, had previously been taken into custody. After spending ten days in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), the operator was released on administrative bail.

An additional individual believed to have played a role in the dissemination of the fabricated story is now being sought by authorities. Furthermore, officials from a commercial bank were summoned to elucidate the circumstances surrounding the release and manipulation of Superflux’s account statement. Superflux is a company where the SSG was previously employed.

The arrested lawyer, as outlined in the July 26 petition addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Alagbon, Lagos State, is accused of conducting

a press conference during which he falsely accused Mr. Talabi of money laundering and involvement in the printing of ballot papers.

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