16 Detained Osun Accord Party Members Regain Freedom

Sixteen members of the Accord Party arrested during the recently concluded Osun State governorship election have been released following the intervention of the court.

Key Highlights:

• 16 Accord Party members arrested during the Osun election have been released following court intervention.
• They had reportedly spent about 24 hours in police detention.
• The campaign council alleged they were arrested while canvassing votes for Governor Ademola Adeleke.
• The court also granted unconditional bail to Alaba Popoola after 26 days in detention.
• The council praised the judiciary and warned against using police powers for political disputes.

The development was disclosed on Friday, by Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Ademola Adeleke Governorship Campaign Council.

According to Olajengbesi, the 16 party members were arrested while canvassing votes for Governor Ademola Adeleke and had spent about 24 hours in police detention.

He alleged that the arrests were made on the instructions of the Osun State commissioner of police, after which the detainees were transported by road to Abuja, Keffi and Suleja, where they were held without any established offence.

“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,” Olajengbesi said.

“They were arrested simply for canvassing votes for Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun State during the just-concluded election.

“They were arrested allegedly on the instructions of the commissioner of police in Osun State and driven by road to Abuja, Keffi and Suleja, where they were detained without any established offence.”

Olajengbesi also disclosed that the court has granted unconditional bail to Alaba Popoola, popularly known as Alabama, who has spent 26 days in detention.

He alleged that Popoola’s arrest and prolonged detention were politically motivated and carried out at the instance of Senator Francis Fadahunsi.

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“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.

“For 26 days, Alabama was kept in detention without any credible allegation being established against him.”

The campaign council spokesperson described the prolonged detention as troubling, saying it raised questions about the professionalism and institutional integrity of the police.

He warned against the use of the police to settle political disputes or target political opponents.

Olajengbesi commended the judiciary for intervening in the cases, describing the courts as an important safeguard against arbitrary detention and alleged abuse of state power.

“We commend the judiciary for once again standing as a safeguard against arbitrary detention and abuse of state power,” he said.