Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Ayodeji Arowele, has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Inspector‑General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force, seeking N50 million in damages over what he describes as an unlawful arrest and infringement of his rights just hours before the APC House of Representatives primary election in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
In the suit, filed through his counsel, Chief Kunle Ijalana, and made available to journalists on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Arowele, a two‑term former lawmaker, is asking the court to declare that the invasion of his hotel room on May 16, 2026, by police officers was illegal and constituted a violation of his rights to privacy, personal liberty and human dignity. The respondents in the suit are the Inspector‑General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, ASP Ebito Ephraim, CSP Hilary Mazi and Mr Yusuf Sanya Isiaka, the man who allegedly lodged a petition against the former lawmaker.
Arowele, who contested the APC primary for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general elections, alleged that he was arrested a few hours before the commencement of the primary election on May 16, 2026, in violation of his fundamental rights guaranteed under Sections 36, 42 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). According to the suit, some policemen numbering about 30, led by CSP Hilary Mazi and ASP Ebito Ephraim, who claimed to be members of the Inspector‑General of Police Response Team, invaded his hotel in Owo in what the petition described as a “Gestapo manner without a warrant of arrest” and whisked him away.
The former lawmaker said he did not resist arrest and only requested to see a warrant, but was “rough‑handled and brutalised”. In the process, his personal security details, who were operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were also assaulted, with one of them allegedly losing a tooth. Arowele was later released on bail at the office of the Assistant Inspector‑General of Police, Zone 17, Akure, about six hours after making a statement, and was directed to report to their office in Abuja after the primary election.
Arowele is also seeking a declaration that the continued threat of arrest by the police over the same matter, despite the transfer of the case file to the Area Commander, Owo, for investigation, is unconstitutional and amounts to an abuse of power. He further asked the court to hold that any further invitation, arrest or threat of arrest in relation to the alleged assault case would constitute double jeopardy and a violation of his right to personal liberty. In addition to the N50 million damages, Arowele is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the police officers involved from further arresting, threatening or inviting him over the allegation.
In addition to the suit, the former lawmaker petitioned the IGP over the conduct of the officers who allegedly invaded his hotel room on May 16, following a petition lodged against him. According to the petition, several police formations had either invited or arrested him over the same allegation. The suit was filed pursuant to Order 11 (1), (2), (3) and (5) of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules.
At the time of this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement on the lawsuit filed by Arowele. The case, which has attracted attention within political and legal circles in Ondo State, is expected to be heard in due course.
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