Family seeks Tinubu’s intervention in continued detention of Ekiti APC chieftain
The family of Akogun Abayomi Olumide of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what they described as the unlawful detention of their
The family of Akogun Abayomi Olumide of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what they described as the unlawful detention of their relative at Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre despite a court judgment granting him release.
Addressing reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the eldest son of the family, Akogun Oluwole, expressed displeasure about his continued remand seven days after Ekiti State High Court presided over by Justice Bamidele Omotosho dismissed allegations filed against him by Ekiti State Government.
Oluwole said his father was arrested and detained on January 1st by the police without presenting a warrant of arrest or stating any offence before he was taken 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 said initial efforts by his lawyer and political associates to locate him at the Police Rapid Response Squad office were unsuccessful, before his wife later sighted his vehicle on the premises, prompting fears that “his father had been kidnapped by the police authorities.”
Oluwole further alleged that his father was pressured by security operatives to renounce his political support for an All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Kayode Ojo, a claim, he said, suggested misuse of police 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.”
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He accused the state government of attempting to secure another remand order without due process and warned that such actions ‘’were not only illegal but dangerous, as it undermined public confidence in democratic institutions and weakened party cohesion.’’
Oluwole expressed concern that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State were allegedly being treated as enemies for supporting different aspirants within the party, a situation he said contradicted the party’s 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 was vital for peace, unity and political stability in Ekiti State.
Reacting to the allegations, the state government denied any complicity or political witch-hunt in the case involving Akogun Abayomi, insisting that it bordered on criminal liabilities.
Speaking with reporters, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata, SAN, explained that it was the remand order by the magistrate, which was yet to be vacated, as the reason for continued detention of the suspect at the correctional centre.
He says 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 it.
“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.”
