Lawyers representing Prince Owolemi Emorioloye, a media and political figure from Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over what they described as his unlawful arrest and continued detention at an undisclosed location.
The legal team, Ogbulu Chambers, in a petition dated January 15, 2026, accused operatives believed to be officers of the Nigeria Police Force of arresting Emorioloye at about 9am from his residence and whisking him away without informing his family or granting him access to lawyers.
The lawyers said all efforts to locate or communicate with their client since the arrest had proved abortive, describing the development as a gross violation of his fundamental rights.
“It is our brief that Mr Owolemi Emorioloye was arrested by operatives believed to be officers of your law enforcement agency at his residence in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location,” the petition read.
They cited Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that the alleged actions violated his rights to personal liberty, human dignity, fair hearing and access to legal representation.
The lawyers demanded the immediate disclosure of his whereabouts, clarification of the offence(s) against him, and either his unconditional release or arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction, warning that failure to comply would attract legal action and claims for substantial damages.
Copies of the petition were also forwarded to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Akure, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Police Officer in Igbokoda.
As of press time, the police had yet to disclose the reason for Emorioloye’s arrest. However, investigations by PLATFORM TIMES suggest that the incident may be linked to a controversial probe he recently concluded into alleged certificate forgery involving the Minister of the Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Two days before his arrest, Emorioloye had published a lengthy Facebook statement denying claims that he was financially induced to abandon the investigation.
In the post titled “Clarification on Alleged Inducement and the Integrity of the Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo Academic & NYSC Investigation,” he insisted he rejected all inducements and had concluded the probe, with only formal submission to authorities pending.
His arrest reportedly sparked panic in Igbokoda, with eyewitnesses describing the operation as resembling a “kidnap.” Residents said men in two unmarked Hilux vehicles stormed the Okonga/Olodo Junction area in broad daylight, forcefully dragged him out and bundled him into one of the vehicles.
The incident caused confusion among traders and passersby, many of whom feared a worsening security situation in the coastal town.
Neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the Department of State Services had issued an official statement confirming or denying involvement in the operation as of press time. Community leaders have since called on security agencies and the Ondo State Government to clarify Emorioloye’s whereabouts and ensure his safety.
Associates of the detained media figure have linked his arrest to his investigation into the Interior Minister, describing the development as an attempt to intimidate or silence him.
The case has continued to dominate public discourse, with Nigerians on social media demanding transparency, respect for the rule of law and accountability from security agencies, as observers warn that the handling of the matter could further test public confidence in law enforcement and human rights protections.
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