Young people took to the streets in Akure, Ondo, to protest the imprisonment of youth leaders from the Akoko area.
The demonstrators barricaded roads leading to the state and federal secretariats for several hours on Wednesday.
They demanded the immediate release of James Akeju, a former student union president of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic and an Akoko Youth Forum leader.
The protesters also sought the release of two others, Adediran Gabriel and Yaya Bisola.
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They claimed the arrests, which followed a court sitting on Tuesday, are a result of “political victimisation” by the state’s attorney-general after a reported disagreement on March 28.
Adegboyega Afe, coordinator of the Ondo State Youth Network, alleged the charges, including “threat to life and cyberbullying”, were “frivolous” and that the accused were unaware of their arraignment.
“Leaders of Akoko youths who had issues with Ajulo were remanded to Olokuta Prison. We followed the process; it was very unlawful. They were not aware they were being charged in court,” Afe said.
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Oladimeji Adewunmi, national social director of the Akoko Youth Forum, argued that cyberbullying is “a serious offence involving threats and online harassment”, none of which occurred.
“Our only offence was visiting a public office to deliver an invitation for a community empowerment event,” he said.
Adewunmi urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo to intervene, stating, “We will not leave this protest site until justice is served.”
Yomisaint Adebayo, the technical adviser to the attorney general, said the youths were arraigned following a police investigation into alleged “assault, conspiracy, actions aimed at breaching public peace, cybercrime, threats to life, and other related offences”.
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He added that the attorney general had asked the director of public prosecutions to take over the matter to ensure a “swift resolution” while upholding due process and potentially including their release.
