Program Analyst
January 14, 2026
Unlawful Arrest & Detention: Osun Government Challenges Police Command On Professionalism
OSOGBO – 14/01/2026 – Osunstate.gov.ng
Our attention has been drawn to a press statement issued by the Osun State Police Command, which was subsequently deleted and replaced with a revised version. This conduct, in itself, underscores the inconsistency, incoherence, and lack of professionalism that have characterized the handling of this matter by the Command.
It is deeply troubling that the Police would issue a public statement, withdraw it, and then reissue an edited version, especially when the original statement had clearly exposed their procedural lapses and unlawful actions.
To set the record straight, the Osun State Police Command falsely claimed that the petition which led to the arrest of Mr. Apesin Abiodun Adegoke and Mr. Iyiola Monsuru was submitted by Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, whom they alleged was defamed by the duo. This claim is patently false.
The petition shown to counsel to the suspects was submitted by the APC Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Mr. Arimiyau Owoade, who alleged that the statements in question affected the APC candidate from his local government. The Police are therefore challenged to explain the basis of their misleading public claim.
Furthermore, the Osun State Police Command stated that both suspects were “invited.” This is completely untrue. At no time were Mr. Adegoke or Mr. Monsuru invited by the Police. Rather, they were arrested without prior invitation, in a manner more befitting a gestapo operation than a democratic police force.
Notably, Mr. Adegoke was arrested on 7th January 2026 at his mechanic workshop, which the Police now disingenuously describe as his “hideout.”
The Police further alleged that Mr. Adegoke confessed to the offence and pleaded for leniency. This allegation is entirely fabricated. At no point did Mr. Adegoke admit to committing any offence, nor did he plead for leniency. The Police are hereby challenged to produce any credible evidence to support this claim.
For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Adegoke was arrested on 7th January 2026 and unlawfully detained until the late hours of 12th January 2026. However, in their now-deleted statement, the Police claimed that he was arraigned in court on 9th January 2026. This is a blatant falsehood.
If Mr. Adegoke had indeed been arraigned on 9th January 2026 as claimed, why did the Police proceed to grant him administrative bail themselves on the night of 12th January 2026? This contradiction exposes the falsity of the Police narrative.
It is also important to place on record that counsel to Mr. Adegoke formally applied for administrative bail on 8th January 2026, which application was neither granted nor responded to by the Police.
When the Commissioner of Police remained adamant and refused to release Mr. Adegoke on bail as at 12th January 2026, counsel was compelled to write a reminder letter referencing the earlier application for administrative bail.
Meanwhile, Section 30 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and Section 62(1) and (2) of the Police Act are unequivocal: where a suspect is arrested for a non-capital offence, and arraignment is not practicable within 24 hours, such a suspect must be released on administrative bail pending arraignment. This position has been firmly and consistently upheld by Nigerian courts.
The mere filing of a charge, without arraignment, does not justify the detention of a suspect for six days in a non-capital offence, particularly where the charge itself was filed after the suspect had already been unlawfully detained for over forty-eight hours, despite a formal application for administrative bail.
The Osun State Police Command owes the public an explanation and accountability for this grave abuse of power.
Our position is clear, Osun Police Command should stay clear of politics and stay professional. These irregularities are an indication that the Police have forced itself into a mould.
The Osun State Government insist that our position is clear and true, Osun Police Command should adjust and stay professional.
Signed:
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment.
