Sources told SaharaReporters that Apomu was one of seven individuals arrested in connection with local government election matters in Osun State.
A 40-year-old man identified as Ademola Adelugbin Apomu has died while in police custody at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) facility in Abuja, following his prolonged detention, SaharaReporters has learnt.
Sources told SaharaReporters that Apomu was one of seven individuals arrested in connection with local government election matters in Osun State.
SaharaReporters learnt that the arrests were ordered by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, acting on the instructions of former Osun State Governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who is also a nephew of President Bola Tinubu.
It was gathered that Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide, Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Ikire, was the first to be arrested and detained for about a month before a court granted him bail.
However, SaharaReporters learnt that Oyetola was displeased with the court’s decision. With the reported backing of the IGP, Babajide was rearrested—this time along with six others—and all were transferred to the IRT facility, where Apomu later died in custody.
The individuals arrested and detained were identified as Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide (60), Abubakar Kabiru a.k.a. Jeje (38), Ademola Adelugbin Apomu (40), Ibrahim Fatai (45), Tajudeen Opeyemi (30), Akeem Agbomojo (28), and Akintoye Olayemi (40)—all natives of Osun State.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the individuals were arrested in Ikire, Osun State, in connection with disputes surrounding the conduct of the local government elections.
However, SaharaReporters learnt that Apomu died around 7:00 p.m. on Monday while in custody at the IRT facility.
According to sources, Apomu had been visibly ill, with severe swelling and loss of mobility, but authorities allegedly dismissed his condition as an act of pretence.
“These men were illegally detained by the IGP on behalf of former Governor Oyetola at the IRT in Abuja for one month,” a source familiar with the matter said.
“Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide, Chairman of Irewole Local Government, was the first to be arrested and later granted bail by the court. But Oyetola was dissatisfied with the ruling. With the help of the IGP, Jooda was rearrested, and the other six, including Ademola, were picked up and taken to the IRT facility, where one of them died on Monday evening.”
“Ademola was clearly ill—he couldn’t walk, and his body was badly swollen. Yet they claimed he was pretending,” the source added.
The source also noted that the seven arrested men were mostly members of the PDP, with one belonging to the APC.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters has obtained a court document filed by the complainant’s counsel, A.S. Oyeyemi, Esq., and Mayowa Adefioye, Esq., of the Legal/Prosecution Section, FID/IRT/STS, located at Guzape Old Abattoir, Abuja. The document, dated April 28, 2025, was filed at the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division.
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According to the document, three criminal counts were brought against seven individuals under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/155/0005. The case lists the Inspector General of Police as the complainant, with Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide, Abubakar Kabiru A.K. Jeje, Ademola Adelugbin Apomu, Ibrahim Fatai, Tajudeen Opeyemi, Akeem Agbomojo, and Akintoye Olayemi as defendants.
The defendants are accused of committing offences within the court’s jurisdiction, including conspiracy, aiding, abetting, and instigating acts of terrorism.
The incident allegedly occurred on or about February 17, 2025, in Ikire and Apomu, Osun State, and extended to various villages and towns within the state. The alleged acts are said to be in violation of Section 26 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Count one reads: “That you (1) Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide 60 year of old Ikire, Osun State (2) Abubakar Kabiru A.k.a Jeje 38 year old (3) Ademola Adelugbin Apomu 40 years (4) Ibrahim Fatai 45 years (5) Tajudeen Opeyemi 30 years (6) Akeem Agbomojo 28 years (7) Akintoye Olayemi 40 years, all of Ikire and Apomu, Osun state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, sometimes around and or about 17th February, 2025 with others (now at large), did conspire, aid, abet, and instigate act of terrorism in various villages and towns in Osun State and particularly in Ikire of Osun State. You thereby committed and offence contrary to section 26 (1) (2) (a) (b) and (c) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Count two reads: “That you (1) Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide 60 year of old Ikire, Osun Sttae (2) Abubakar Kabiru A.k.a Jeje 38 year old (3) Ademola Adelugbin Apomu 40 years (4) Ibrahim Fatai 45 years (5) Tajudeen Opeyemi 30 years (6) Akeem Agbomojo 28 years (7) Akintoye Olayemi 40 years, all of Ikire and Apomu, Osun state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, sometimes around and or about 17th February, 2025 with others (now at large) did conspired among yourselves and other (now at large) to commit an offence to wit; illegal possession of firearms. You were arrested with three (3) pump action Rifles. You thereby committed offence contrary to section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Robbery Provisions) Act, LFN 2004.
Count three: “That you (1) Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide 60 year of old Ikire, Osun State (2) Abubakar Kabiru A.k.A Jeje 38 year old (3) Ademola Adelugbin Apomu 40 years (4) Ibrahim Fatai 45 years (5) Tajudeen Opeyemi 30 years (6) Akeem Agbomojo 28 years (7) Akintoye Olayemi 40 years, all of Ikire and Apomu, Osun state, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, sometimes around and or about 17th February, 2025 with others (now at large) did kill one Remi Abass on 17th February, 2024 at Ikire, Osun State. You knew death will be probable cause of your action. You thereby committed an offence contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319 of Criminal Code Act, Cap 38 LFN, 2004.”
Efforts by SaharaReporters to reach the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, SP Opalola Yemisi, for comments were unsuccessful, as calls to her mobile line went unanswered.
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