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Man Dies in Police Custody Following Prolonged Detention Linked to Osun LG Election Dispute
A 40-year-old man, Ademola Adelugbin Apomu, has died while in police custody at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) facility in Abuja after being held in prolonged detention, according to SaharaReporters.
Sources disclosed that Apomu was among seven individuals arrested in connection with controversies surrounding local government elections in Osun State. The arrests were reportedly carried out under the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, following instructions from former Osun State Governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola—a nephew of President Bola Tinubu.
The first person detained in the case was Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide, Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area in Ikire. He was held for nearly a month before being granted bail by a court. However, sources say that the court’s decision was met with dissatisfaction by Oyetola, leading to Babajide’s rearrest with the alleged support of the IGP. This time, six additional individuals, including Apomu, were also apprehended and transferred to the IRT detention facility in Abuja.
The arrested individuals, all natives of Osun State, were identified as follows:
Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide (60)
Abubakar Kabiru a.k.a. Jeje (38)
Ademola Adelugbin Apomu (40)
Ibrahim Fatai (45)
Tajudeen Opeyemi (30)
Akeem Agbomojo (28)
Akintoye Olayemi (40)
Their arrests reportedly stemmed from disputes and alleged irregularities in the conduct of the local government elections in Ikire and surrounding areas.
According to SaharaReporters, Apomu died around 7:00 p.m. on Monday while in custody. Sources familiar with the matter alleged that he had shown clear signs of serious illness, including extensive swelling and impaired mobility. Despite his deteriorating condition, officers reportedly dismissed his symptoms as feigned.
“These individuals were unlawfully detained at the IRT facility in Abuja on the orders of the IGP, acting at the behest of former Governor Oyetola,” one source said. “Ademola was clearly sick—he couldn’t walk and was visibly swollen. Yet authorities insisted he was pretending.”
Sources further revealed that most of the detainees were members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with one affiliated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
A legal document was filed by the complainant’s counsel, A.S. Oyeyemi and Mayowa Adefioye, of the Legal/Prosecution Section, FID/IRT/STS, based in Guzape Old Abattoir, Abuja. The document, dated April 28, 2025, was submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/155/0005.
The filing lists the Inspector General of Police as the complainant and names the seven individuals—including the deceased, Ademola Apomu—as defendants. They are charged with three criminal counts, including conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and inciting acts of terrorism.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences occurred on or about February 17, 2025, in Ikire and Apomu, and extended to other towns and villages across Osun State. The charges are framed under Section 26 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Count one reads: “That you (1) Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide 60 year of old Ikire, Osun State (2) Abubakar Kabiru A.k.a Jeje 38 year old (3) Ademola Adelugbin Apomu 40 years (4) Ibrahim Fatai 45 years (5) Tajudeen Opeyemi 30 years (6) Akeem Agbomojo 28 years (7) Akintoye Olayemi 40 years, all of Ikire and Apomu, Osun state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, sometimes around and or about 17th February, 2025 with others (now at large), did conspire, aid, abet, and instigate act of terrorism in various villages and towns in Osun State and particularly in Ikire of Osun State. You thereby committed and offence contrary to section 26 (1) (2) (a) (b) and (c) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Count two reads: “That you (1) Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide 60 year of old Ikire, Osun Sttae (2) Abubakar Kabiru A.k.a Jeje 38 year old (3) Ademola Adelugbin Apomu 40 years (4) Ibrahim Fatai 45 years (5) Tajudeen Opeyemi 30 years (6) Akeem Agbomojo 28 years (7) Akintoye Olayemi 40 years, all of Ikire and Apomu, Osun state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, sometimes around and or about 17th February, 2025 with others (now at large) did conspired among yourselves and other (now at large) to commit an offence to wit; illegal possession of firearms. You were arrested with three (3) pump action Rifles. You thereby committed offence contrary to section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Robbery Provisions) Act, LFN 2004.”
Count three: “That you (1) Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide 60 year of old Ikire, Osun State (2) Abubakar Kabiru A.k.A Jeje 38 year old (3) Ademola Adelugbin Apomu 40 years (4) Ibrahim Fatai 45 years (5) Tajudeen Opeyemi 30 years (6) Akeem Agbomojo 28 years (7) Akintoye Olayemi 40 years, all of Ikire and Apomu, Osun state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, sometimes around and or about 17th February, 2025 with others (now at large) did kill one Remi Abass on 17th February, 2024 at Ikire, Osun State. You knew death will be probable cause of your action. You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319 of Criminal Code Act, Cap 38 LFN, 2004.”