Rotimi Idris
…Ekiti Govt denies complicity, political witch-hunt, cites genuine criminal matter
The Family of Akogun Abayomi Olumide has petitioned President Tinubu, seeking his intervention in what they consider an unjust detention at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre, where he has been held despite a court order granting him release.
Speaking to journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, Akogun Oluwole, the eldest son of the family, expressed outrage over his father’s continued detention, seven days after a state high court, presided by Justice Bamidele Omotosho, ruled in his favor and dismissed all allegations brought by the Ekiti State Government.
Oluwole said that his father was arrested and detained on January 1st by the police without a warrant of arrest or stating any offence before he was whisked away to their custody.
He added that Akogun was subsequently held incommunicado and denied access to his wives, lawyers, medications and associates, describing the development as a violation of constitutional provisions guaranteeing personal liberty, dignity and access to legal representation.
He stated that initial attempts by his lawyer and political associates to locate him at the Police Rapid Response Squad office proved abortive, and it wasn’t until his wife spotted his vehicle on the premises that they suspected “his father had been abducted by the police.”
Oluwole alleged that security operatives used coercion to try to get his father to renounce his support for APC aspirant Engr. Kayode Ojo, a claimed he said suggested was an abuse of police authority for political purposes.
He noted that although Olumide was later charged before a State High Court on allegations including attempted robbery, robbery and rape, the court struck out the case, insisting that his continued detention after the ruling “undermines the rule of law.”
He accused the state government of securing another remand order without due process and warned that such actions were “not only illegal but dangerous, as it undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and weakens party cohesion.
Oluwole further expressed concern that members of the ruling APC in Ekiti were allegedly being treated as enemies for supporting different aspirants within the party, a situation he said contradicts the party national efforts to strengthen unity.
He however, called on prominent Ekiti leaders including Chief Afe Babalola SAN, former governors, traditional rulers and civil society groups to intervene and ensure justice, stressing that adherence to the rule of law is vital for peace, unity and political stability in Ekiti State.
In a swift response, the state government denied the claims, stating that the case against Akogun Abayomi is strictly a criminal matter, denying any allegations of political witch-hunt or complicity.
In a swift response, the state government denied any complicity or political witch-hunt, asserting that the case involving Akogun Abayomi was a genuine criminal matter that should be treated as such.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata SAN, who stated this during an interraction with Journalists, explained that it was the remand order by the magistrate, which is yet to be vacated as the reason for continue detention of the suspect in the correctional center.
He disclosed further that the defendant also has a pending case at the Federal High Court which comes up on the 17th of this month.
Giving some facts of the case, Apata said: “On 5th of February, 2026, the prosecution wrote a letter for adjournment suggesting three days for the trial of the case. The Court struck out the case despite the letter of adjournment already before him.
“Immediately thereafter, the prosecution filed a motion for relisting of the matter. Akogun Abayomi was taken back to the Correctional Centre and could not be released because he is having another pending matter bordering on Unlawful Possession of Canabis Sativa hanging on his neck at the Federal High Court.
“It might interest the public to know that the charge at the Federal High Court is slated for 17th February, 2026.
“It is now clear as broad day light that the press release by the family does not represent the true position as far as this case is concerned. This case is far from political witch-hunt as Akogun Abayomi Olumide committed criminal offences and since nobody is above the law and regardless of his political leaning or affiliation, the law must take its course.”
