The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission and its chairman, Mr. Hashim Abioye, have filed a case against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in the Federal High Court in Osogbo, alleging illegal arrest of the commission’s staff and sealing of its office.
The Osun State Commissioner of Police has also joined the suit, which is filed under FHC/OS/CS/41/2025. The plaintiffs are seeking an order prohibiting the police from further arresting OSSIEC employees and requesting the release of those who are now detained.
In an initial summons dated February 25, 2025, and signed by their counsel, Maruf Adediran, the plaintiffs claimed that the police’s actions infringed their fundamental human rights.
They petitioned the court to declare the sealing of their office and the fear of arrest unconstitutional.
The plaintiffs are also seeking N2 billion in damages for what they see as a violation of their right to liberty and private life.
Part of the reliefs sought reads, “A declaration that, under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the defendants were not justified in invading and sealing off the plaintiffs’ office and threatening to arrest OSSIEC staff in disregard of their rights, particularly in relation to the peaceful, free, and fair election conducted on February 22, 2025.”
The plaintiffs requested that the police vacate the OSSIEC office and release the detained staff, as well as an injunction to prevent further interference with the commission’s operations.
The lawsuit comes amid tensions surrounding the OSSIEC’s local government elections on February 22, 2025.
