The court has secured the release of 16 members of the Accord Party who were allegedly detained by the police after canvassing votes for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke during the just-concluded election. Human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi disclosed this in a post on X, saying the party members had……
The court has secured the release of 16 members of the Accord Party who were allegedly detained by the police after canvassing votes for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke during the just-concluded election.
Human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi disclosed this in a post on X, saying the party members had spent about 24 hours in police detention before their release through the intervention of the court.
Olajengbesi alleged that the 16 members were arrested on the instructions of the Commissioner of Police in Osun State and subsequently transported by road to Abuja, Keffi and Suleja, where they were detained without any established offence.
He wrote, “We have just secured, through the intervention of the Court, the release of another 16 members of the Accord Party who have been in Police detention for the past 24 hours.”
According to him, the individuals were arrested “simply for canvassing votes for Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun State during the just-concluded election.”
Olajengbesi also disclosed that the court granted unconditional bail to Hon. Alaba Popoola, popularly known as Alabama, who he said had been in detention for 26 days.
He alleged that Popoola’s arrest was politically motivated and carried out at the instance of Senator Francis Fadahunsi.
“The Court also granted unconditional bail to Hon. Alaba Popoola, popularly known as Alabama, who has been detained for 26 days following his arrest, which we maintain was politically motivated and carried out at the instance of Senator Francis Fadahunsi,” he said.
Olajengbesi further claimed that no credible allegation had been established against Popoola throughout his 26-day detention.
“For 26 days, Alabama was kept in detention without any credible allegation being established against him,” he said.
The lawyer described the development as troubling, saying it raised concerns about the professionalism and institutional integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.
He urged the police to remain independent of political interests and exercise their constitutional powers in accordance with the law.
“The Nigeria Police Force must never allow itself to become an instrument for settling political scores. Its enormous constitutional powers must be exercised in defence of citizens and the rule of law, not at the convenience of politically exposed persons,” Olajengbesi said.
He commended the judiciary for intervening in the cases, describing the courts as a safeguard against arbitrary detention and the abuse of state power.
“We commend the judiciary for once again standing as a safeguard against arbitrary detention and abuse of state power,” he added.
The allegations made by Olajengbesi could not be independently verified from the information provided.
