Unlawful Detention: Human Rights Activists Demands Justice For Suraju Asimiyu Over Abuse By The Police

A human rights advocacy group- Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has tasked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to see to the abusive tendencies of some officers of the Nigerian Police Force.

National President of CHSR, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, amidst other human rights activists stated this, while addressing a press conference on alleged unlawful detention and abuse of power by the Police against Suraju Asimiyu, saying that IGP Egbetokun should be firm and resolute in curbing actions and in-actions of his personnel.

The group urged the IGP to institute an investigating team to look into all the allegations made by Mr. Suraju Asimiyu (Baba Ibeji) against Mrs. Tolulope Odegbami (Olowosibi).

“As a human rights group, we have received several complaints from Nigerians across board on cases of harassment, intimidation, exploitation, favouritism and bias from officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Also, in the course of discharging our duty or interaction while settling people’s disputes, some police officers, mostly the lower cadres, are far away from acts that set Nigeria Police Force as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended,” he said.

The group spoke about a scenario, where the vulnerable get repressed without any fair hearing.

“Based on the vulnerability of the defender/ complainant, the well-connected ‘OGA MADAM’ in collaboration with men of the Nigeria Police Force will then use their societal influence to manipulate the system and avert justice to impact sufferings and pains on the less privileged.

“This is a situation where we are as a country and more reasons why our correctional centres are densely congested.

“Few days ago, Mr. Suraju Asimiyu, a widower and father of twins, cried to our office to register a complaint against a cyber space influencer, Mrs. Tolulope Odegbami (Olowosibi) using her relationship and connection with a senior police officer to get him arrested and detained unlawfully,” he said.

According to Omotehinse, Asimiyu was detained by the police for 80 days without trial, which he said clearly violated his fundamental human right.

He listed the demands of the group on a number of issues seeking the IGP’s urgent intervention.

“The inspector General of Police should institute an investigating team to look into all the allegations of Mr. Suraju Asimiyu (Baba Ibeji) against Mrs. Tolulope Odegbami (Olowosibi).

“The IGP should create an avenue to checkmate the act of abuse of office by police officers influenced by individuals against their perceived enemy.

“We demand to know the process, method and durations of serving a suspect within the state, outside the state and outside the country with a police invitation letter before declaring the suspect wanted.

“We demand in the public interest that the Nigeria Police Force, through the office of FPPRO, should address and enlighten Nigerians about the process and what one will do that can lead to him or her being declare wanted.

“For avoidance of being partisan and to see justice served, the IGP should use his good office to step down the WANTED order on Dorcas Adeyinka to avail her opportunity to honour police invite without being harassed or embarrassed.

“We hereby demand that the Nigeria Police Force should tender its unreserved apology to Mr. Suraju Asimiyu (Baba Ibeji) with compensation for unlawfully detaining him for a period of 11 weeks without trial or proper investigation,” he said.

The group also appreciated all human rights lawyers who had given the hapless a voice in the temple of justice, while praying that the Almighty God, in his infinite mercy, shall continue to bless, guide and protect them in all their endeavours and that “they shall all live to witness the Nigeria of our dream where rule of law will be upheld that the indigents, innocents will no longer suffer unjustly for an offence they did not commit.”

Mr. Suraju Asimiyu had cried out for protection by the human rights activists over an allegation of harassment and threat to life by an influencial social media influencer.

Asimiyu, a resident of Ifo in Ifo LG area of Ogun state who was recently released from Police detention in Abuja, had risen voice of ‘Save My Soul and that of my twin children from the jaw of Tolulope Odegbami fondly called ‘ Olowosibi’ who has made life miserable for him after the death of his wife ‘ Foluso’ in the month of April.

Suraju Asimiyu in his lamentation stated ‘ These suffering is too much, Tolulope Odegbami alias Olowosibi and Abike Jagaban should leave me and my children alone.

“I am begging Nigerians and the human rights groups to intervene in my matter, as those social influencers who came to my family rescue namely Jokotade and Dorcas Adeyinka foundation are being humiliated by Tolulope Odegbami ( Olowosibi.)

“She has been troubling my life and that of my twins ever since they were born, till their mother gave up the ghost.

“She even said that she took my wife to a hospital in Yaba area of Lagos and had her injected with birth control injection and since that time my wife never recovered till, she died in April, 2024.

“I protested that why would she do such when she is not a family member of my wife? She has tormented me from time to time, keeping me in police cell at Ifo, Ogun State and even in a Police command at Abuja since April for no just cause.

“They did not allow me bury or mourn my late wife neither did they allow me take good care of my twin,” he said.

Suraju’s lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi who filed the case in court at Abuja made it clear that, “He was initially held for 10 agonising days in Ifo Police Station in Ogun State before he was transferred to Abuja.

“However, despite the fact that the entire scenario and shameful power tussle, the police continued to detain Suraju under the guise of investigation.

“There, he remained confined in a police cell without any formal action taken against him, despite allegations of murdering his own wife.

“Tragically, Suraju’s wife, who had been suffering from tuberculosis and other health issues, was rushed to the hospital by her husband where she passed away at General Hospital, Ota, Ogun State.

“The day after her death, on April 19, 2024, Suraju was arrested. He was not allowed to see his wife’s remains, mourn her death, or care for his young children who have just lost their mother.

“Upon our independent review of the case, we discovered that Suraju was merely a victim of an ego-driven power tussle between two charitable women’s groups.

“Initially, one group supported Suraju and his family, but when he aligned with another woman’s charity organisation, the initial group turned against him. Following his wife’s death, this group accused him and the other woman of his wife’s murder.

“Individuals using the young man to settle scores still didn’t show up at any court sitting or made any claim, but rather misguide the public to make money in the name of this innocent man.”

Taofeek Asimiyu, the victim ( Suraju) elder brother stated that: “Segun, brother to the late Foluso, who was Suraju’s wife, also got involved by collaborating with Tolu Odegbami through monetry seduction in order to take custody of the twin, after the death of their mother.

“Unfortunately, before they could reach Suraju’s new residence in Ifo, I had already taken the twins to my father’s place, that was when they got furious

“When my brother was incarcerated, I could not go there because the woman was trailing me too, knowing fully that I had been speaking up for my brother’s sake.

“I have been in Maitama Abuja to ensure that my brother did not remain behind bars. The feeding and wellbeing of the twins has been the responsibility of my wife and I.”Mr Taofeek Asimiyu concluded.