Hon. Ayodeji Arowele, an ex-Ondo State House of Assembly member and APC aspirant for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, has initiated legal action against the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force. The lawsuit follows his arrest on May 16, 2026, just hours before his party’s primary election. Arowele is demanding N50 million in damages, citing a breach of his fundamental human rights.
Represented by attorney Chief Kunle Ijalana, the suit identifies the Nigeria Police Force, ASP Ebito Ephraim, CSP Hilary Mazi, and petitioner Yusuf Sanya Isiaka as defendants. Arowele asserts that approximately 30 officers, claiming affiliation with the IGP Response Team, entered his Owo hotel room without a warrant. He alleges he was treated violently and his security detail from the NSCDC was physically assaulted during the incident.
The former lawmaker was held for six hours at the Zone 17 AIG office in Akure before receiving bail. He claims the timing of the arrest was strategically orchestrated to interfere with his political ambitions for the 2027 general election. Despite the case being transferred to the Area Commander in Owo, Arowele states that officers continue to harass him and pressure him to travel to Abuja.
Beyond the lawsuit, Arowele has submitted a formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police regarding the conduct of these officers. He seeks a court declaration that his arrest was unconstitutional, alongside a permanent injunction to prevent further harassment. This legal challenge follows recent public concerns raised by Ondo State Information Commissioner Idowu Ajanaku regarding the conduct of Force Intelligence Department operatives within the state.
