The Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) has criticized the Oyo State Police Command for the alleged illegal arrest of its Executive Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman, along with 18 Ibadan indigenes. The individuals were reportedly detained for participating in a peaceful protest against plans by certain political officeholders in Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to privatize the Ibadan Mechanical Village after their tenure in 2027.
According to CHRSJ, Sulaiman was arrested on Tuesday morning while preparing for another nationwide protest against the Ekiti State Police Command’s detention of human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi, who was accused of defamation. Sources claim Sulaiman was detained without prior notice, and the other protesters have been held since last Wednesday, exceeding the constitutionally permitted detention period of 48 hours without court arraignment.
Illegal Detentions Criticized
CHRSJ condemned the actions of the police, accusing the Oyo State Police Command of acting under the influence of political figures in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The group alleged that orders to detain the protesters were issued by a close aide to Governor Makinde.
The arrested individuals include Alhaji Olaniyi Dauda Oye, Mallam Abdulhai Raufu, Sodiq Olajire, and 15 others. CHRSJ asserts that the prolonged detention violates Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and assembly.
Legal Perspectives and Planned Actions
In a statement signed by CHRSJ Assistant Executive Secretary, Pastor Micheal Agaasi, the group highlighted constitutional precedents, including the case of IGP v. ANPP (2007), which affirmed that Nigerians do not require police permission to protest.
The rights group expressed plans to petition the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and various human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. They described the police’s actions as “barbaric, unconstitutional, and anti-democratic.”
Advocacy for Democracy
CHRSJ emphasized that Comrade Sulaiman is a seasoned human rights activist who trained under the late legal luminary Chief Gani Fawehinmi. The group decried the use of police to suppress peaceful protests, calling for the immediate release of all detained individuals and urging authorities to respect democratic norms and uphold citizens’ rights.
The group concluded by calling on the Oyo State Police Command to promptly charge the detainees to court if necessary, instead of holding them incommunicado.
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