The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) and its chairman, Barr. Hashim Abioye has filed a lawsuit against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Osun State Commissioner of Police. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Osogbo, alleges a breach of fundamental rights, illegal arrest and detention, unlawful sealing of the commission’s premises, and illegal seizure of properties.
The OSSIEC is seeking damages of Two billion naira (N2Bn) and other reliefs. According to the commission, the police actions were taken despite a court order mandating security agencies to provide security for the local government elections held on February 22, 2025.
Sources within the commission’s legal department revealed that the police overzealously arrested ad-hoc staff without cause, detaining them without explanation. “A security agency is expected to be neutral and provide necessary security for the people of Nigeria. Unfortunately, the reverse was the case,” the source stated.
The OSSIEC’s lawsuit highlights concerns about the Nigerian Police’s impartiality, particularly given the APC’s control of federal security agencies. “This is democracy,” the source emphasized, underscoring the need for security agencies to respect the rule of law and protect citizens’ rights.
This development echoes similar concerns raised by Dr. Diran Odeyemi, a former National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, who filed a fundamental rights suit against the Inspector General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police in November 2024 ¹.
