3 Oyo Kingmakers Raise Alarm Over Alleged Arrest Threats By Gov Makinde
Three members of the Oyomesi (the traditional council of Oyo) have petitioned the Federal High Court in Ibadan, alleging that law enforcement agents are attempting to arrest them on the orders of Oyo State Governor, Engr ‘Seyi Makinde. The kingmakers—Yusuf Akinade (Basorun of Oyo), Wakeel Akindele (Lagunna of Oyo), and Hamzat Yusuf (Akinniku of Oyo)—had previously taken the governor to court, accusing him of misusing the Oyo State anti-corruption agency to intimidate and harass them.
In their petition, submitted by their lawyer, Kunle Sobaloju SAN, the kingmakers claimed that on February 14, 2025, law enforcement agents attempted to arrest them while their case was still pending in court. The kingmakers were surprised by the actions, as their case had not yet been decided.
The petitioners described how, on February 13, 2025, a vehicle with registration number 01A-289 OY arrived in Oyo town to arrest them. When the agents failed to find them at home, they reportedly laid siege to their premises until 12:00 AM, showing a clear intent to intimidate, harass, and persecute them.
The letter to the court emphasized that such actions—attempting to arrest individuals with a pending case—are unlawful. Sobaloju argued that the behavior exhibited by the law enforcement officers violates the court’s authority and interferes with the legal process. He further noted that the timing of the alleged threats, immediately after court documents were served, suggested a deliberate attempt to undermine the ongoing legal proceedings.
The petitioners are now calling on the court to protect their fundamental human rights and prevent further harassment and intimidation by the governor and law enforcement agencies.
