Foundation asks IGP to investigate case of man who died after ‘illegal arrest’

Akin Fadeyi Foundation has condemned the death of Kehinde Omotosho, a trader who died after he was reportedly arrested illegally.

The foundation also said the case of the “illegal detention and death in the incarceration of Omotosho” has been officially handed over to the Afe Babalola chambers, calling on the inspector-general of police to order a full investigation into the incident which happened in Ibadan, Oyo state.

At a press briefing, Akin Fadeyi, founder of the foundation, said the late Omotosho was illegally arrested at his residence as a substitute for his nephew, Kabiru, whom the police originally came for.

He said the absence of Kabiru infuriated the police officers from the state criminal investigation department (CID) Iyaganku, Ibadan, who decided to arrest Omotosho alongside his brother, Rasak Jelili in place of Kabiru.

On how the deceased was arrested, Fadeyi said Jelili gave a graphic narration of the incident on FlagIt, the anti-corruption reporting app developed by the foundation.

“The nephew to the late Mr Omotosho reported on how his uncle was murdered by officers of the Nigerian police at Iyaganku; who are notorious for illegally arresting citizens in a bid to extort them,” he said.

“This is usually done allegedly with the active connivance of corrupt elements within the Oyo state magistrate court system who are always willing tools in the issuance of crooked warrants of arrest to dehumanize and detain citizens without trial.

“The Police led by an officer called “SOJ” of Agungun police division stormed the deceased residence and insisted he would be arrested in place of the Kabiru.

“Mr Omotosho, a hardworking trader at Gbagi Market, despite his protest and claim to innocence, was inhumanly kept in detention where he died in the custody of the Nigerian police, state criminal investigation department, Iyaganku on the night of Tuesday, 21st of July 2020 at 5 am.”

He said the Iyaganku state CID is working hard to suppress and hide the truth by “forcing an illiterate extended family member of the deceased to swear to a ‘No Case’  affidavit”.

“The Akin Fadeyi Foundation shall spare no effort and material resources until the culprits are fished out and punished. The Foundation will also ensure that the infrastructure of oppression and suppression of citizens at the notorious Iyaganku State CID is dismantled,” he said.

“The children insist on an investigation, and they demand answers as to why the Nigerian police would unlawfully arrest a man and keep him till he died in their custody.

“We condemn this barbaric, corrupt and indecent culture of arresting innocent family members of a suspect as a place holder by the police during investigation.”

He also called on the National Human Rights Commission, Transparency International, Oyo state governor, and other organisations with interest in the protection of rights of citizens to demand a joint visit to inspect detention facilities and living conditions of detainees at the state CID.