Africa-Press – Nigeria. Family members of an All Progressives Congress chieftain in Ekiti State, Abayomi Akogun, who was remanded in Ado Ekiti Correctional Centre, have expressed worry over the continued incarceration of the politician seven days after the suit against him by the state government was struck out by a high court.
His eldest son, Oluwole Akogun, said at a press briefing in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday that his father was still being remanded in the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre seven days after a competent state high court struck out all allegations brought against him by the state government.
Akogun was arrested by the police in Ado Ekiti on January 1 and arraigned at an Ekiti State Magistrates Court, Ado Ekiti District in January 2 for offences including conspiracy, armed robbery, attempt to murder, possession of offensive weapon and unlawful possession of cannabis sativa.
He was of February 4 arraigned at an Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division but on February 5, the court, presided over by Justice Bamidele Omotoso, struck out the matter.
According to Akogun’s son, the state government gave directive to the correctional centre not to release his father, who he alleged was being persecuted for being a supporter of the APC governorship aspirant for Ekiti 2026 election, Kayode Ojo.
Oluwole alleged that “The state government, in collaboration with some judicial officials in the state has been working desperately to use illegal court order to remand Akogun again without any formal invitation, arrest or appearance before any judge.
“Under the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, it is increasingly worrisome that members of his own political party, the APC, are being treated as enemies simply because they have chosen to support a different aspirant within the same party.
“In a democracy, this pattern of intimidation and persecution is not only undemocratic but extremely dangerous, as it erodes trust in governance, weakens party cohesion and undermines public confidence in state institutions that are meant to protect citizens,” Oluwole stated.
Akogun’s younger wife, Morenike Ayeni, who said all efforts to secure her husband’s release after the court struck out charges again him since last week had been futile, saying he needs help to save his life.
Morenike said, “He is diabetic, he is shrinking, he is not doing well, he needs medical attention”.
But the state government, which denied any wrongdoing, persecution or intimidation in Akogun’s remand, said he still had a case to answer at the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti Division.
Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata SAN, who said the state High Court struck out the case despite the letter of adjournment already before the court, said, “Immediately thereafter, the prosecution filed a motion for reenlisting the matter”.
Apata, who said the remand order by the Magistrate Court in the earlier case had not been vacated, added that Akogun “is having another pending matter bordering on unlawful possession of cannabis sativa hanging in his neck at the Federal High Court.”
The AG, who said the matter at the Federal High Court had been slated for February 17, said, “This case is far from political with-hunt as Akogun Abayomi committed criminal offences and since nobody is above the law and regardless of his political leaning of affiliation, the law must take its course.
“I urge the public to disregard the tissues of lies peddled by his family members,” the AG said, adding that the family’s statements does not represent the true position as far as the case was concerned.
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