Fellow Kwaran, last week I wrote an article about the ordeal of Baba Iliasu Moro, Alhaji Shola Muse, and Adegogo, who were detained at Oke Kura Prison over alleged defamation of character. I didn’t realize that with that article, I had stirred the hornets’ nest and the bees started following me.my offence was that I pleaded with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to intervene in to the matter.
I must appreciate those who commended me for that article, while others said I should have let them face the music, arguing that whoever alleges must be able to prove, and that no one would tolerate defamation without taking legal action. Some also said that, as a human rights activist who advocates for transparency, accountability, and fairness, I shouldn’t have backed such a thing.
But I will like to clarify that I love Kwara and Kwarans, and I always rise against anything that would affect my fellow Kwaran and the state entirely. This is not my first time of speaking out against Kwarans who find themselves in issues relating to this. When Àwòko Kwara was detained by Civil Defense at their headquarter in ilorin over defamation, I spoke with the Kwara State Civil Defense Public Relations Officer (PRO)on how we could mediate. I don’t hurriedly intervene, after I have been properly briefed and see that the awoko is guilty, I always let the person face the music for a few days, then approach those involved as a human being to tamper justice with mercy, believing the person must have learned after three to four days in custody.
I believe that, irrespective of political party, tribe, or religion, we are all Kwarans, and we must build love among ourselves. I also intervened when Nupeko TV journalist was alleged of defaming the Kwara State Commissioner for Water Resources “Lade”. After a few days in detention, I put a call through to Dr Sheriff Dayor Ibrahim , Rasheed Abdulrasheed Shoboi Akogun , the Commissioner for Water Resources himself, and Dr. Sanusi Lafiagi and Sanchitagi Ndakitabu Qasim on how we could mediate between both parties and resolve the matter amicably. Funny enough, I have never met the Nupeko TV journalist before, even Awoko Kwara — he only discusses and engages me on government projects, and this always ends on phone, not physical awoko can testify.
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I did the same for Majala, who was alleged of defaming the Chief of Staff to Senator Saliu Mustapha . I spoke with Barr. Taofiq Olateju and Barr Abdukareem Alabi anytime issues like this happen, the first person I usually get across to for legal advice and where we can help is Barr. Olateju, and most times he would go to the station to bail or offer free pro bono to the suspect. We aren’t doing it to encourage illegality or defaming people, but for the love of ourselves, to promote unity, and always warn whoever is involved to desist, giving them a second chance at life. I didn’t support illegality and I will never back such.
I have been tracking government projects in Kwara State since 2017 and that’s what people have known me for. I have tracked projects worth over 900 billion naira, both constituency projects, capital projects, Local Government projects, and State government projects. I have sworn in affidavit as focal person for my organization in seven different court case’s as witness against government diversion of public funds by both federal and state government on more than 10 court case’s.
I have appeared before EFCC, ICPC, and DSS adopting petition against shabby project execution, defend more than 10 petitions, and locked up 28 both state and federal MDAs staff at Anti-corruption agencies for diversion of public funds. I have been attacked many times So I understand what the law says and what defamation of character is all about, but I believe it’s better we are proactive in curbing this than being reactive. For so many people, it’s not deliberate, while for some, it’s for politics. In all, we should all desist from defamation of character.
Kwara onibaje ooooo.
Signed
Comrade Mashood Lanrey Osho is a Human Right Activist, Anti-corruption Crusader, Author of three books, weekly columnist and Public Policy Analyst
23rd of February,2026.
