Omoyele Sowore, a human rights campaigner, claims the Nigerian police arrested Talolorun, a prominent traditional religion practitioner and activist, with a bogus warrant.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) said the police sought the state administration to let them prosecute Talolorun without the DPP.
Traditional Religion Practitioner Talolorun Imprisoned for Defaming Ilorin Emir, Islamic Clerics
Special interests in Ilorin secured a phony arrest warrant from Area Court to covertly jail Tani Olohun, now they want the state government to prosecute him without the DPP’s involvement. Sowore posted Sunday on Facebook.
After a magistrate court in Ilorin remanded Talolorun, Kwara State jail authorities denied family members and activists access.
Saturday denied Talolorun’s family and Isese activists access.
According to allegations, Talolorun planned to ignite a conflict by “inviting other traditional and idol worshippers to congregate in Ilorin on the 20th of August, 2023”.
The charging sheet accused Talolorun of blasphemy, insulting Islam, and instigating civil unrest against the government. Burning the Quran and insulting Offa’s Chief Imam, Muuhideen Hussein, and other clergy were also charges.
Talolorun, charged with insulting Islamic clerics, denied family and religious activists access in Ilorin Prison.
Talolorun, charged with insulting Islamic clerics, denied family and religious activists access in Ilorin Prison.
Some family members and Isese activists claim police blocked them from seeing Talolorun.
#FreeTaniOlorun: Ilorin special interests’ charade to covertly jail Tani Olohun exposed after they secured a bogus arrest order from Area Court and now want the state to prosecute him without the DPP’s involvement.
Sowore revealed on Saturday that he had obtained a copy of the “bogus criminal charge sheet used in falsely and illegally targeting and detaining Abdulazeez Tani Olohun and it is now completely obvious that he was being witch-hunted for his outspokenness against some people in Ilorin, Kwara State”.
Sharing the charge sheet on X (previously Twitter) with #FreeTaniOlorun Sowore urged for his immediate release, saying it was clear the police did not investigate Talolorun before arresting him.
“From the charge sheet, the police did not investigate; it was hearsay from a petition prepared by an amorphous group that opposed religious and speech freedoms.
“The Nigeria Police Force unprofessionally arrested and prosecuted the activist. They must drop these charges and free him immediately. These are civil complaints at best. Free Taniolohun Now! Wow! #RevolutionNow.”
Charge sheet: “Nature Of Offence: Criminal Conspiracy, Insulting Or Exciting Contempt Of Religious Creed, Criminal Defamation And Inciting Disturbance Contrary To Section 97, 210, 392 and 114 Of Penal Code Law.”
Association of Proud Sons and Daughters of Ilorin Emirate, Ilorin, Kwara State wrote a petition to the commissioner of police, Kwara State command, on 03/08/2021 at 1300hrs, against you Adegbonla Abdulazeez Talolorun M of No 53 Adeyemo Layout, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo State for discreet investigation.
“That in July 2023, the president, Alhaji Muritala Abdulkareem Baba Bariga, and other members were drawn to your Youtube channel videos in which you blasphemed Islam, burned Qur’an, and defamed Ilorin Islamic scholars.
“That you mention Alfa Ahmad Labeeb Agbaji, Alfa Abdulsalam Baba Tonile Okuta-Agidi, and his father, late Mohammad-Lawal Okuta Agidi, an idol worshipper, phony cleric, and Ilorin shrine.
“They also claimed that you are threatening to start a war in Ilorin and its surroundings by posting on social media invitations for traditional and idol worshippers to gather on August 20, 2023.
“Investigation at the surveillance section, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Ilorin, revealed that you Adegbonla Abdulazeez Talolorun ‘M’ of No 53 Adeyema layout, Molete, Ibadan Oyo State, criminally conspired with others at large to insult Islamic region, defaming Alfa Ahmad Labeeb Agbaji, Alfa Abdulsalam Baba Tonile Okuta-Agidi, and Chief Imam of Offa, Alhaji Muhideen Salman Hus
Ibadan police detained Talolorun on Wednesday, August 16, and took him to Ilorin, Kwara State’s capital.
A Magistrate court in Ilorin, Kwara State’s capital, remanded him in prison.
