Ondo ex-deputy speaker sues Disu, police over alleged unlawful arrest

By Boye Oyeyemi

A former Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly and All Progressives Congress aspirant for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Ayodeji Arowele, has filed a suit against the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and other police officers over his arrest shortly before the APC primary election held on May 16.

Also listed as defendants in the suit are the Nigeria Police Force, ASP Ebito Ephraim, CSP Hilary Mazi, and Yusuf Sanya Isiaka. The action was filed through his counsel, Chief Kunle Ijalana, at a competent court.

Arowele alleged that his arrest, which occurred a few hours before the commencement of the primary election, violated his fundamental rights guaranteed under Sections 36, 42 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The suit was instituted less than a day after the Ondo State Government raised concerns over the activities of officers of the Force Intelligence Department operating in parts of the state.

The former lawmaker is seeking a declaration that the invasion of his hotel room by police operatives on May 16 was unlawful and amounted to a violation of his rights to privacy, personal liberty and dignity.

He further urged the court to declare that the operation, allegedly carried out by officers acting on directives from senior police authorities and based on a petition against him, constituted an abuse of power and an unconstitutional infringement on his personal freedom.

Arowele also asked the court to restrain the police from issuing further invitations or carrying out any arrest in connection with the allegation, arguing that such actions would amount to double jeopardy and continued violation of his constitutional rights.

In addition to the court action, the APC chieftain has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, accusing officers involved in the operation of unlawfully invading his hotel room while acting on a petition filed against him.