Ogun Land Grabbing: Dawn Raid, Arrest And Denial Of Lawyer Access, Communities Demand Answers Over Seye Olatunji’s Detention
We urgently call on the Inspector-General of Police, the Ogun State Governor, the Attorney-General of Ogun State, the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission to intervene following the arrest of Mr. Seye Olatunji and the reported refusal to allow his lawyer and relatives access to him at Eleweran, Abeokuta.
At approximately 5:00 a.m. today, 10 November 2026, a team identified by residents as police officers, operating in plain clothes and reportedly led by an officer known as “Supp Bola,” descended on members of our communities affected by the protracted Iweke and adjoining villages’ land dispute.
Residents report that several people, believing the approaching men to be armed robbers, fled in fear. Mr. Olatunji was arrested and taken to Abeokuta.
From approximately 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., according to his lawyer and relatives, they were denied access to him at Eleweran.
According to his lawyer, Mr. Olusola Adenuga, “l was told that he would be taken to court, but was given no information identifying the court, its location, or the proposed date and time of his appearance. As a matter of fact a promise to take a man to court does not answer a lawyer’s request to see his client”.
Reacting to the incident, Lawyer Gbenga Adegboye, a leading lawyer in the matter said: “These developments are deeply disturbing and demand immediate intervention. Sections 35 and 37 of the Police Act protect a suspect’s right to consult a lawyer and to receive humane treatment. Why, then, are we being denied access to our client? Saying that he will be taken to court does not excuse denying him legal representation or withholding details of the proposed court appearance. Also, the police have no authority to invalidate a subsisting court order. That order must be obeyed unless set aside by a competent court. We demand immediate access to Mr. Seye Olatunji and full disclosure of the allegations against him.”
Speaking further, Lawyer Adegboye said “this incident must be examined against the history of the dispute. Since 2025, the farming communities have reported invasions, destruction of farms and crops, and alleged intimidation connected with contested land.
“The communities’ records include a restraining order issued by the Customary Court, Ilaro, on 27 March 2026; correspondence dated 15 October 2026 conveying the Chief Judge’s directive confirming the order’s continuing validity; and a government forensic boundary survey conducted on 22 October 2026. Numerous petitions have sought protection and lawful investigation. His Royal Majesty, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, has also intervened through palace peace and fact-finding proceedings.
Despite these efforts, residents continue to report fear and insecurity.
According to the lawyers, the denial of access has heightened the family’s concern that Mr. Olatunji could face unsupported allegations, including allegations involving firearms. We state clearly that this is a concern, not confirmation that any such charge has been made or that evidence has been fabricated. Prompt access to counsel, disclosure of the allegations and preservation of all relevant records are essential to prevent abuse and establish the facts.
The Police Act expressly recognises a suspect’s right to consult a lawyer before making a statement or answering questions, and requires humane treatment. These safeguards must be respected in Mr. Olatunji’s case.
We therefore demand:
- Immediate access to Mr. Olatunji by his lawyer, confirmation of his welfare, and reasonable access by his family.
- Disclosure of the grounds for his arrest, the investigating unit and the officer responsible for his custody.
- Prompt release if there is no lawful basis for continued detention, or timely production before a competent court, with sufficient information for his lawyer to attend and represent him.
- Preservation of all arrest, custody, interview and search records, including any inventory and handling records for items allegedly recovered.
- Urgent independent scrutiny of this operation and the wider handling of the dispute, including the communities’ petitions and allegations of violations of the subsisting court order.
“We ask journalists, the Nigerian Bar Association and human rights organisations to launch an investigation into this unending land grabbing saga with a view of unmasking those behind it, seek an immediate response from the Ogun State Police Command and independently establish Mr. Olatunji’s condition, access to counsel and any proposed court appearance.
“No family should have to launch a public appeal simply to secure a detained person’s access to his lawyer. The Ogun State Police Command must account for Mr. Olatunji’s treatment and demonstrate that due process is being followed”.
Signed: Idowu Olayanju
On behalf of Iweke, llobi-Omuwa, KotoObo, Idode communities in Ilaro Yewa South Local Government of Ogun state
