Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Ado‑Ekiti, Nigeria — A local court in Ekiti State has ordered the remand of a man accused of conspiracy, armed robbery, attempted murder, unlawful possession of offensive weapons, and malicious damage, in a case that has drawn attention because of its timing. The suspect, Akogun Abayomi Olumide — also known as “Lustay” — was remanded in correctional custody this week, just weeks after filing a legal challenge to block the candidacy of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the upcoming Ekiti governorship election. The events have raised concerns about political tensions intersecting with ongoing criminal investigations in the state.
The case was brought before an Ekiti State Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado‑Ekiti on January 2, 2026, following a police application for remand while awaiting legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. According to court records and police filings, Olumide was arrested on January 1 in connection with alleged violent attacks on several prominent individuals, including Chief Sunday Adeola, Chief Joseph Falope, Kilani Oyebamiji, and Oloruntimileyin Akintunde. The police allege that these attacks involved a conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted murder, among other offences.
In an affidavit supporting the remand application, Inspector Ilori Tope of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Ado‑Ekiti, stated that the investigation had uncovered what the police described as “reasonable grounds” to link Olumide to the offences. The affidavit further detailed that statements from complainants, as well as from Olumide himself, had been attached as exhibits to the court application, along with a standard investigative Form K used by Nigerian police to justify detention. The court acceded to the police request, remanding Olumide at the Ado‑Ekiti Correctional Centre pending further legal review.
The suspect has emphatically denied all wrongdoing. At the time of his arrest, Olumide told police he was not part of any robbery gang, nor had he imported or hired armed thugs to attack political opponents. He acknowledged travelling to Ado‑Ekiti in early October 2025 as part of the convoy of Engineer Kayode Ojo — a political figure in the state — for the public declaration of Ojo’s governorship ambition at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat. Olumide insisted that he had no involvement in any shooting or violent act, and said he had never attempted to take another person’s life as alleged.
The legal action Olumide initiated prior to his remand was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. In that suit, he challenged the candidacy of Governor Oyebanji, arguing procedural or legal flaws in the governor’s nomination process — a matter that was pending when his arrest was made. While the specific content of Olumide’s constitutional challenge has not been publicly detailed, its proximity to his arrest has prompted commentary in some quarters about the potential politicisation of legal processes in Ekiti State. There is no official indication from the court or the police that the criminal charges are directly connected to Olumide’s lawsuit, and authorities maintain that the arrest and remand were solely on criminal grounds.
Ekiti has in recent political cycles witnessed heightened tensions, particularly as election seasons approach. Governor Biodun Oyebanji, a member of the APC, is expected to seek re‑election in a contest that observers say could be fiercely contested. Allegations of political interference, social media campaigns, and disputes within the state’s political establishment have been reported in recent months, reflecting broader challenges in maintaining public confidence and political stability. State officials have previously issued warnings about coordinated social media attacks and misinformation campaigns targeting the governor, indicating the contentious nature of the political climate.
Legal analysts and civil society advocates stress the importance of the judiciary’s independence in matters where legal disputes overlap with politically sensitive contexts. They note that remanding a suspect on criminal charges while a separate political case is pending can exacerbate perceptions of partiality unless the facts are clearly delineated and transparently handled. Ensuring clarity about the basis for each legal action and adherence to due process will be essential in avoiding public distrust of the justice system. Observers also point out that high‑profile arrests against political actors or critics have, in other contexts within Nigeria, sparked debate over the balance between enforcing the law and safeguarding civil liberties.
The charges against Olumide — if proven — carry significant implications under Nigerian law. Conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery are serious offences that can result in substantial prison terms, while attempted murder and unlawful possession of offensive weapons are prosecutable under sections of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State and the federal legal framework. However, being remanded is not a conviction, and Olumide retains the right to mount a defence against all allegations in a court of competent jurisdiction. His legal team has maintained that he is innocent and will contest the charges in court.
As the legal and political processes unfold, attention will likely remain on the interplay between criminal justice and political contestation in Ekiti State. The judiciary’s handling of both Olumide’s criminal case and his separate lawsuit against Governor Oyebanji may set precedents for how politically sensitive legal matters are handled in the lead‑up to major elections. For now, Olumide remains in custody, with further developments expected as filings progress and the Director of Public Prosecutions reviews the police case for possible prosecution.
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